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THE BANQUET OF DUN NA N-GEDH
THE BATTLE OF MAGH RATH,

AN ANCIENT HISTORICAL TALE.

NOW FIBBT FDILieHED,

PROU A HANUSCBIPT IN THE UBBART OF TRIKITY COLLECB, DUBLIN,

WITH A TRANSLATION AND NOTES,

JOHN ODONOVAN.

DUBLIN:
FOR THE IRISH ARCH^OLOGICAL SOCIETY.

UDCCCXLIL

THIS COPY WAS PRINTED FOB

RICHARD GRIFFITH, ESQ

UEMBER OF THE SOCIETY.

DUBLIN:

PRINTED AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS,

BY X. B. GILL.

IRISH ARCHiEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

patron :
HIS EXCELLENCY THE LORD LIEUTENANT OF IRELAND.

His Grace the Duke of Leinster.

CDouncfl :

Elected June y 1842.

The Earl of Leitrim.

The Viscount Adare, M. P., M. R. I. A.

Lord George Hill, M. R. I. A.

John Smith Furlong, Esq., Q. C, Treasurer,

Rev. Richard Butler, A. B., M. R. I. A.

Captain Larcom, R. E., M. R. I. A.

Rev. J. H. Todd, D. D., V. P. R. I. A., Secretary.

Javes Mac Cuixagh, Esq., LL. D., M . R. I. A.

Joseph Huband Smith, Esq., A. M., M. R. I. A.

George Petrie, Esq., R. H. A., M. R. I. A.

James Hardiman, Esq., M. R. I. A.

a 2

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

HE following historical tale is now, for the first time,
translated and printed- The text has been, for the
most part, obtained from a vellum MS. in the Library
of Trinity College, Dublin (H. 2. i6.), a compilation
of the fifteenth century, but the name of the author
or transcriber does not appear. Of this MS. it origi-
nally occupied upwards of eleven closely written and very large leaves,
of which one is unfortunately lost : the deficiency has been supplied
from a paper copy, No. 60, in the collection of Messrs. Hodges and
Smith, Dublin, which was made in 1 72 1-2, by TomaltachMac Morissy,
for James Tyrrell. This paper copy was corrected by Peter Connell,
or O'Coimell, a very good Irish scholar (author of the best Irish Dic-
tionary extant, though never published*), who has explained many
dijEcult words in the margin, of which explanations the Editor has
in many cases availed himself This paper copy was indeed very
useful throughout, inasmuch as it gives in most instances the modem
orthography, and thus throws light on many obsolete words and
phrases strangely spelled in the velliun copy. The Editor has not

been

' It exists in MS. in the British Muse- Provost and Senior Fellows of Trinity Col-
mn, and a copj of it, in two large volumes lege, Dublin, is preserved in their valuable
folio^ recentlj made by the liberality of the Library.

been able to procure access to a third copy, which he regrets, as
there are still some defects which cannot be supplied, and a few ob-
scurities in the text which he has been unable to remove. The
necessity of collating several copies of ancient productions of this
nature has been felt by all Editors, as well of the ancient classic au-
thors as of the works of the writers of the middle ages. But Irish
MSS. are often so carelessly transcribed, many of them being uncol-
lated transcripts of older MSS., that it is especially unsafe to rely on
the text of a single copy. The Editor has found, on comparing dif-
ferent MSS. of the same ancient Irish tract, that the variations are
often so considerable, as to render it necessary to compare at least
three copies, made from different sources, before one can be certain
that he has the true original reading. On this subject the venerable
Charles O' Conor, of Belanagare, who was extensively acquainted
with ancient Irish MSS., writes as follows, in a letter to his friend
the Chevalier Thomas O'Gorman, dated May 31st, 1783, of which
the original is in the possession of Messrs. Hodges and Smith, of
Dublin :

" I approve greatly of your intention to get our Annals and other historical docu-
ments translated. But if not undertaken by a man who has a critical knowledge of
the phraseology, with the changes made therein, from the sixth to the tenth century,
the sense will be frequently mistaken, and a bad translation will be worse than none
at all : even a publication of the Irish text would require the collation of the several
MSS. for restoring the original reading and correcting the blunders of ignorant tran-
scribers."

It appears from the Stowe Catalogue that there is a good copy
of the Battle of Magh Rath in the Library of his Grace the Duke
of Buckingham, at Stowe^ but the Editor has not had access to it.

There

•* Application was made to his Grace the MS. ; but his Grace's rules do not permit
Duke of Buckingham for a loan of this any MS. to leave his Library : and the

There was another copy in the Book of Fermoy, as appears from ex-
tracts in the possession of the Editor, but this Book, which was in the
collection of the Chevalier O'Gorman towards the close of the last
century, has since been carried out of Ireland, and the Editor has
been unable to discover into what hands it has fallen. He has been,
therefore, under the necessity of publishing the present work from
the two MSS. above referred to, preferring the text of the vellum
Copy throughout, except where it is obviously defective, in which cases
he has supplied its deficiencies from the paper copy.

This historical tale consists of two parts, of which the former is
prefatory to the latter, and probrfbly written at a later period.. The
first part is entitled Fleadh Duin na n-Gedh, i. e. the Banquet of Dun
Ha n-Gedh, and the second Cath Muighe Rath, i. e. Battle of Magh
Rath or Moira ; the two parts have evidently been the work of diflfe-
rent hands, as the marked difference of style and language indicates,
The first is simpler, plainer, and more natural in its style, and less
interrupted by flights of bombast ; but the name of the author of
either part does not appear.

The Battle of Magh Rath, as will be presently shown, was fought
in the year 637, and it would seem certain, from various quotations
given throughout the tale, that there were formerly extant several
accounts of it more ancient, and perhaps more historically faithful,
than the present. In the form in which it is now published, it is
evidently interpolated with fables, from the numerous pieces in prose
and verse, to which the battle, which was one of the most famous
ever fought in Ireland, naturally gave rise.

Though the language of the original appears very ancient, and is
undoubtedly drawn from ancient authorities, still the Editor is of

opinion

funds of the Society are not as yet suffi- petent Irish scholar into England for the
cient to enable the Council to send a com- purpose of making collations.

VIU

opinion that the present version of it is not older than the latter
end of the twelfth century, or immediately after the Anglo-Norman
invasion of Ireland. This opinion he has formed from the fact, that
Congal Claen, King of Ulidia, is called Earl (lapla) of Ulster (see
pp. 198, 199), a title which the writer would not, in all probabi-
lity, have used, if he had lived before the time of John De Courcey,
the first person that ever bore the style of Earl of Ulster in Ireland.
This fact will probably satisfy most readers. But although we have
no evidence from any real authority that the word Earl was ever
used as a title among the Irish, it may be urged by those who wish
to argue for the antiquity of the tale, that the word Earl, which is
certamly of Teutonic origin, might have been introduced into Ire-
land in the eighth century by the Danes, and that, therefore, an Irish
writer of the eighth or ninth century, whose object was to use as
great a variety of terms and epithets as possible, might be tempted
to borrow the term larla from the Danes, although it had never at
that time been adopted as a title by the Irish. This argument may
to some look plausible, but the Editor does not feel that it is sujficient
to justify us in assigning a higher antiquity to the work in its present
form than the twelfth century.

The mention of shining coats of mail (luipec) also tends to the
same conclusion (see pp. 192, 193); for it is the universal opinion of
antiquaries, — an opinion not yet disproved, — that the ancient Irish
had no general use of mail armour before the twelfth century. To
this, however, it may also be objected, that the Danes unquestionably
had mail armour in fighting against the Irish, and that some of the
Irish kings and chieftains adopted the custom from them in the ninth,
tenth, and eleventh centuries ; that it is natural, therefore, to suppose
that an Irish writer, in the ninth or tenth century, whose object was
to magnify the military power and skill of a favourite monarch, the
progenitor of a powerful race whom he wished to flatter, would as-
cribe

cribe to him the possession and use of all the military weapons he
had ever seen in his own time ; and if this be admitted, it could be
argued that the Romance now published might have been written
before the English invasion.

But the answer to all such reasonings is, that the Tale was un-
questionably intended to flatter the descendants of its hero, King
Domhnall, grandson of Ainmire, while his race were in full power in
the north of Ireland; and, therefore, that its author must have lived
before the year 1 197» when Flaithbhertach O'Muldory, the last chief
of Tirconnell of this monarch's family, died. How long before that
year the date of this composition should be placed caimot now be
well ascertained, but when the whole case is duly weighed, it will
be seen that it could never have been written after the extinction of
the race of the monarch, on whom the exploits described reflect so
much glory.

With respect to the style of this tale, it must be acknowledged
that it belongs to an age when classical strength, simplicity, and
purity had given way to tautology and turgidity. As we have already
observed, it is loaded with superfluous epithets, many of them in-
troduced to form a string of alliterations, which, instead of perfect-
ing the image or rounding the period, " with proper words in proper
places," often have the effect of bewildering the mind, amidst a chaos
of adjectives, chosen only because they begin with the same letter,
or a string of synonimous nouns, one or two of which would have
sufliciently expressed the sense. This kind of style was much admired
by some Irish writers of the last century, and even in the beginning
of the present the Eev. Paul O'Brien, in his Irish Grammar (pp.
70-72), has expressed his high admiration of it, in his explanation of
Complex Adjectives ; his words may be here quoted, as containing a
good explanation of the nature of the style in which the Battle of
Magh Rath has been written.

IBISH ARCH. 80C. 6. b '' OF

OP COMPLEX ADJECTIVES.

" First, — Of the Adjective compounded with the Substantive.

" When an Adjective is thus formed, if it precede the Substantive, it conveys a
more forcible meaning than if it followed ; as peap ceann-rp^an, a headstrong man ;
peap qi^an-ceannac, a resolute man, &c. In this last the former Substantive becomes
an Adjective, as in the English heart-broken and broken-hearted, &c.

" Secondly, — Of Simple Adjectives compounded with Impersonal Possessives.

" In forming these, the simple precedes the possessive ; as p^alc jlan-poilpeac,
a bright-shining star ; jlop binn-jurac, a sweet-sounding voice, &c Such Adjectives
involve two Substantives, which then become Adjectives, and may be termed,

" Thirdly, — Adjectives compounded of Adjectives ; thus, oioce jlan-p^alc-poil-
peac, a bright star-shining night; peap binn-jlop-jurac, a sweet sounding-voiced man^.
These are again compounded, and become,

" Fourthly, — Adjectives compounded of compound Adjectives ; as 6 15 -peap jpu-aij-
pinn-pJoo-pain-Dual-pcaineojac, a soft-silken-wide-spreading-ringleting-fair-haired
youth, L e. the youth of soft-silken- wide-spreading, ringleting fair hair*^. Adjectives of
this description have the Substantive in their first syllable ; for if it be placed in the
hist syllable, the whole compound becomes an expressive Substantive ; as,

*' Fifthly, — Q cp^an-dpo-pluaj-coc-ceannpaldip, thou mighty ruler of lofty em-
battled chiefs^.

"Sixthly, — Of Participial Adjectives, compounded of compound Substantives,
compounded of compound Adjectives. In these the Epic Bards delighted, magnifying
the exploits of their heroes beyond measure, and inspiring their hearers with a thirst
for military glory, emulation of feats, and contempt of death. Of which the following
soliloquy of Opilpopj, over the grave of his brother Qpjiiiop, gives a sufficient ex-
ample :

Seapc peipce mo cpoioe puio liag c<i Qp^oip I

Ceo ^leoDQc mo popy ru, a oeapBpdcaip.

Q bile ofoion op milio a o-cea^ionl I

TTlo nuaip nac B-puilip mop pia a ^-comodil,

Q15 laocpaio l^na cpeaccihao ip-clann.

^ " M'Grath's History of the Wars of cept in poetry or poetic style." — Notes to
Thomond abounds with these compound the Grammar, p. 205.
Adjectives ; but they are seldom used ex-

Q peapra uairne, mo liieoDain.cpeac ip caoiih liom.
C6 oeopac m6 cpo-lfonca cpion ope,
Bipope pe rp^ijce mo aonbparap.

<l)o b^apao pe Dian-luao-cpooacc buan-cndrii-capjapra ppuir-l6im, ptojba-
pac pancac-puaij-riiapbrac ppaip-leooapra, oiocopjopca da^iaplarhail po-cpei j-
ceac, jeup-nainiDeaihuil, apo-aijeoncac, neim-rim peoil-pjacajac ppol-o^anrapca
oeilb-jpam-cloD-aocumapra piop-bdip-neuloihuil, peobac puilreac, leorhan-bpap-
yapj-neapc-eacciiiap, map peub-buinne-pleib-ruinne-japb-juapac, a meooanrpom-
rional-bopb-puilceac na laoc meap, &c.'

TRANSLATION.

" Argmhor I Love of the love of my heart, beneath this stone thou liest I A mist
of sorrow to mine Eyes thou art, my Brother I Stem bulwark of our heroes in battle !
Woe is me, no longer art thou sharer of the Spoils among the Chiefs of Lena, defeating
the Sons of Anger. Thou too, alas 1 his grassy mansion, art dear to me, — Thougli
my aged-bursting-breast with tearful eye bend over thee, hearken thou to the mighty
deeds of my only Brother — ^Who with fleet-valiant-bone-crushing Arm Torrent-
like-rapid, dartingly-eager, mortal his strides ; dauntless, dealing death around ;
invincible, fierce, vigorous, active, hostile, courageous, intrepid, rending, hewing,
slaughtering, deforming forms and features ; shaded with clouds of certain death.
Sanguine as the Hawk of prey ; furious as the resistless-strongframed-blood- thirsty
Lion ; impetuous as the boisterous-hoarse-foaming-bold-bursting-broad-mountain bil-
lows ; would rush through close-thronged crowds of enraged warriors, &c."

The same writer, treating of the degrees of comparison, gives us
the following account of them, which, though not altogether correct,
conveys a strong idea of what he considered bardic eloquence :

" There are in common Lnsh but the three degrees of comparison found in all other
Languages ; but the Bards, in the glow of poetic rapture, passed the ordinary bounds,
and upon the common superlative, which their heated imaginations made the positive
degree, raised a second comparative and superlative ; and on the second also raised a
third comparative and superlative ; from an irregular but noble effort to bring the
Language to a level with their lofty conceptions; which uncommon mode of expressing
their effusions, though it may seem romantic to others, the natives regarded as a source
of peculiar beauty, and a high poetic embellishment to their language.'' — pp. 60, 6i.

Another writer, who has done much to illustrate the legendary

b 2 lore

lore of Ireland, has noticed this turgidity of style, in the following
words, from which it will be seen that the modern Irish scholars with
whom he conversed admired it as much as the bards of the middle ages :

" The overabundant use of epithet is a striking peculiarity of most compositions in
the Irish language : by some writers this has been ascribed to the nature and struc-
ture of the language ; by others to the taste of the people. In a conversation which
I once had with some Irish scholars, I well remember one of them stepping forward
in the formidable gesture of an excited orator, and addressing me in an exalted tone
of voice in defence of epithets, ' These epithets,' said he to me, with outstretched arm,
* are numerous in the original Irish, because they are enlivening and expressive, and are
introduced by historians to decorate their histories, and to raise the passions of the
reader. Thus were the youth at once instructed in the grand records of their lofty
nation, — in eloquence of style, — and in the sublimity of composition*.' "

At what period this style was first introduced into Ireland, or
whence it was originally derived, would now be difficult to ascer-
tain. The oldest specimen known to the Editor, of a historical tale,
of a similar character with the present, is the Romance called Tain Bo
Cuailgne^ which is an account of the seven years' war carried on
between Connaught and Ulster in the first century. It is said to
have been written in the seventh century; but it is not nearly so much
loaded with epithets as the present story. From this, and the fact
that the oldest specimens of Irish composition remaining, such as the
fragments in the Book of Armagh, and in the Liber Hymnorum, and
the older Irish lives of St. Patrick, and other saints of the primitive
Irish Church, are all written in a narrative remarkably plain and sim-
ple ; it would appear that this very turgid style was introduced into
Irish hterature in the ninth or tenth century, but whence the model
was derived is not so easy to conjecture. The Arabians and other
oriental nations had many compositions of this kind, but it does not
appear that the Irish had any acquaintance with their literature at so

early

^ Researches in the South of Ireland, by T. Croftoa Croker, pp. 334, 335.

early a period. Several specimens of this style of composition, writ-
ten by the celebrated Shane O'Dugan, who died in 1372, are to be
foimd in the Book of Hy-Many, but the most elaborate and celebrated
work in this style is that entitled Caithreim Toirdhealbhaigh, i. e.
The Triimiphs of Turlogh [O'Brien], written in the year 1459, by
John, son of Rory Magrath, chief historian of Thomond. Of this work,
which comprises the History of Thomond for two centuries, there
are extant in Dublin several paper copies; it was translated, towards
the close of the last century, by Theophilus OTlanagan, assisted by
Peter Connell, but was never published. Its style far exceeds that
of the present story, in the superabimdant use of epithets, and in
extravagance of conception and description, as may appear from the
following extract, which is a description of Donogh Maxj Namara,
chief of Clann Cuilen, in Thomond, harnessing himself for battle :

" A. D. 1309. — t)' aicle na h-ima-
j^allnia pin t>onnchai6 pe n-a oea^-
fhumcip, po eipv^ 50 h-uipiheipneac,
op^apoa o'a eioeab pein 'pan lonao poin.
Qjup ru^ao ap o-cwp a uapaleioe o'a
lonnpai^iD, .1. cocun oainjean, oea;i;-
ciiinra, oluir-iomaipeac, om-eicpi^eac,
Deop^-anpaoac, oep-ciumap-blAir, oe-
alB-nuaoac, oac-cpoioeapj, oioypaipe,
ajup DO cuip uime 50 h-^apjaio an c-
eioeao oip-ciuihpac pom, a^MJ* ip e com-
pao 00 oion a 6ea;^-cocun Ooniicaio, .1.
o loccap a maoc-bp6jaD mln-copcpa, 50
muUaca ^lun japtxi, jleijil, coip; ajup
DO ^Bao uime-piun ap uaccap an lonuip
pin,luipioc lain-qieabpao, luib-^leijeal,
leabap-cpu mn, dobal, paippiny, op-bop-
oac, DioppaiD, Dpuimneac, oluir-cluirac,
Dei^-piT;ce, blair, biian-pocaip, cneip-
CIU5, cpaoib-jlic, ceipc-piajlac, puaic-

" After that harangue of Donogh to his
brave people he arose on the spot with
courage and activity to clothe himself in
shining armour. His noble garment was
first brought to him, viz., a strong, well-
formed, close-ridged, defensively-furrowed,
terrific, neat-bordered, new-made, and
scarlet-red cassock of fidelity ; he expertly
put on that gold-bordered garment [or
cotun] which covered him as far as from
the lower part of his soft, fine, red- white
neck, to the upper part of his expert,
snow-white, round-knotted knee. Over
that mantle he put on a full-strong,
white-topped, wide-round, gold-bordered,
straight, and parti-coloured coat of mail,
well-fitting, and ornamented with many
curious devices of exquisite workmanship.
He put on a beautiful, narrow, thick, and
saffron-coloured belt of war, embellished

with

XIV

nij, plip-jeal, po-jpAoac. Qjuf po jab
cair-cpiopcaoil-ciuj, ciuriiap-bl6ic, cpi-
oc-nicnhra, cloo-biiclac, ceannpa6-6p6a,
50 n-a lann lur-lucihop, cpumn-peaoA-
nac, ceipc-imleac, occ mun ap ba aiob-
pije a 6ipoe op a peaoanaib, ajup do
ceannapoop an qiiopcopp, ceopc-blair,
cpuinn-paolcannac ceaona pom cap a
cac-luipij, ajup eannac lompaoa, pao-
bap-^pm, lapann-jlan cpein-peannac,
eaoib-lea?kxn, qieop-u plain, b6n-culac,
bl6r-ihaioeac, piapoaiiiail, cUxip-p^io,
txioilciuj, ceapc-poipjneaiiiac, a j-cean-
jal an cpeapa blaic-peio, bpeac-oacac
pin; ajup 00 jabao pjabal p^ic-jeal,
paippinj-p^iD, pionn-ppoi jcioc, paic-jpe-
apac, peiom-laioip, pijre, uime ixip uac-
cap a op-luipije; ajup oo jab clojac
clap-oainjean, ciuihap-cpuinn, copp-
ceapc-blair, coinnioll-ihopDa, cpaob-
raipjneac, cian-pulainj, pa n-a ceann-
baiciop ; ajup do jabapoap a cloioioih
col^a, clap-leicean, claip-leicpeac,
cian-ainijneac, coppoeapac, cair-minic,
lan-cpuaiUeac, cpop-opoo, cpiop-aihlac
cuije, jup ceannapoape 50 caom-oc-
jaipiD cxxp a raob ; ajup do ^bapoap
a ja japca, jep-paobpac, jopm-Dorac,
jpep-ihiolla, lona jlaic oeip, pa comaip
aoiubpaicre; ajupcappaio pe a cpaoip-
loc cpann-aobal, cpo-oainjean, C0I5-
Dipioc, ceoi-neimneac coihnaio cuije
lona cle-l6iih o'd oinje, ajup d'6 oian-
bualao. CIjup mop hea^ copcmn na
cp^n-peoonac'pancpaic pin,a5 cumjeao
a 5-cocun, cpaob-copcpa, ajup a luip-
10c loinmop-jlan, ajup a lann lapap-
vno\\, ajup a 5-cpaoipioc cuaipc-aioiheil;

with, clasps. and buckles, set with precious
stones, and hung with golden tassels ; to
this belt was hung his active and trusty
lance, regularly cased in a tubic sheath,
but that it was somewhat greater in
height than the height of the sheath ; he
squeezed the brilliant, gilt, and starry
belt about the coat of mail ; and a long,
blue-edged, bright-steeled, sharp-pointed,
broad-sided, active, white-backed, half-
polished, monstrous, smooth-bladed, small-
thick, and well-fashioned dagger was fixed
in the tie of that embroidered and parti-
coloured belt ; a white-embroidered, full-
wide, strong, and well-wove hood(p5abal)
was put on him over his golden mail ;
he himself laid on his head a strong-
cased, spherical- towering, polished-shining,
branch-engraved, long-enduring helmet ;
he took his edged, smooth-bladed, letter-
graved, destructive, sharp-pointed, fight-
taming, sheathed, gold-guarded and girded
sword which he tied fast in haste to his
side ; he took his expert, keen-pointed,
blue-coloured, and neat- engraved dart in
his active right hand, in order to cast it at
the valiant troops, his enemies ; and last,
he took his vast-clubbed, strong-eyed,
straight-lanced, fierce-smoking, and usual
spear in his left, pushing and smiting
therewith. Great was the tumult of the
army then, seeking for their purple-
branched cassocks, brilliant mails, blazing
swords, and spears of ample circumference,
restraining their steeds backward by the
reins, as not obedient to the gxddance
of their riders, choosing their arms, the
young adhering, for their beauty, to their

golden

ajup 05 arcup a n-eac cap a n-aip o'd golden arms, and the old aiming at the
n-apaoaib, o nac pailS a n-aipe pe h-iom- ancient arms with which they often before
jabail a o-caoipij, 05 coja na o-cpen- acted great deeds in battle,— the soldiers
apm, C13UP a n-o^baio aj aopao ap, a n- closely sewing their ensigns to their vast
aille, d'6 n-6p-apmaib, coup na h-o;^lao poles, and fastening their colours by the
°5 r^^ijeao na pean-apm o'a n-oeap- borders to the lofty poles of their spears*."
naoap aiciop a n-impeapnaib po niinic
poime pin ; ajup na mileo aj mion-puai-
jeal na meip^eao pip na mop-cpann-
aib, ayup na h-oncom '56 j-ciuihap-
oam^iu^o ci\\ na cpaoipiocaib."

The tale, now for the first time printed and translated, is founded
on more ancient documents relating to the Battle of Magh Eath, as
appears from various quotations which it contains ; but it is obvious
that the writer, not finding a suificient number of characters recorded
by history, was under the necessity of coining some names to answer
his purpose, such as Eochaidh Aingces, king of Britain, Daire Mac
Dommhar, king of France, &c., but the greater nimiber of his cha-
racters were real historical personages. Although, therefore, this
tale cannot be regarded as a purely historical document, still it is
very curious and valuable as a genuine specimen of an ancient Irish
story founded on history, and unquestionably written at a period
when the Irish language was in its greatest purity; it is also useful
as containing many references to ancient territories, tribes, customs,
notions, and superstitions which existed among the ancient Irish
before the introduction of Enghsh manners ; and it is particularly
interesting to the lover of Irish literature as containing a large stock
of military and other technical terms, and preserving several idioms of
the ancient Irish language, which are now, and for some centuries have
been, obsolete. A general and just complaint among the lovers of Irish

lore

* This translation, made towards the and Peter O'Connell, is preserved in the
close of the last century, by O'Flanagan Library of the Royal Irish Academy.

XVI

lore has long been, that there is no perfect work, of an antiquity
higher than the days of Keating, accessible to the student of our
language ; it is to be hoped, therefore, that the publication of the
original text of this ancient story will in some measure remove this
complaint. It will, at least, rescue from oblivion and preserve from
final destruction a considerable portion of the ancient language of
Ireland, which must have been inevitably lost if not now preserved
while the language is still living, and while the power of unfolding
its idioms and explaining its obsolete terms yet remains.

Compositions of this nature were constantly recited by the poets
before the Irish kings and chieftains at their public fairs and assem-
blies, for the purpose of inspiring the people with a thirst for military
glory. This fact is distinctly stated in the accoimt of the celebrated
fair of Carman (now Wexford), preserved in the work called Dinn-
senchus, or History of Remarkable Places ; and it is also recorded
in a vellum MS. in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin (H. 3. 17.
p. 797.), that the four higher orders of the poets, namely, the OUamh,
Anruth, Cli, and Cano, were obliged to have seven times fifty chief
stories and twice fifty sub-stories to repeat for kings and chieftains.
The subjects of the chief stories were demolitions, cattle-spoils,
courtships, battles, caves, voyages, tragedies, feasts, sieges, adventures,
elopements, and plunders. The particular titles of these stories are
given in the MS. referred to, but it would lead us too far from our
present purpose to insert them here.

Those readers who have studied ancient history only through
the medium of modem popular books, will no doubt be surprised at
the style and spirit of the present production, and particularly at the
extraordinary incidents introduced into it as historical facts. But
we should consider that those modem writers whose works we read
for a knowledge of ancient history, must have waded through many
fabulous tracts before they were able to separate tmth from fable,

and

XVll

and that the statements they give as true ancient history are, after all,
no more than their own inferences drawn, in many instances, from
the half historical, half fabulous works of the ancients. In the middle
ages no story was acceptable to the taste of the day without the assist-
ance of some marvellous or miraculous incidents, which, in those all-
believing times, formed the life and soul of every narrative. At that
period the Irish people, and every people, believed in preternatural
occurrences wrought by magic, by charms, and particularly by dis-
tinguished saints before and after their deaths, as firmly as their de-
scendants now believe in the wonders wrought by natural science ;
and it should not be expected that any lengthened story could have
been written in that age without the introduction into it of some of
those marvellous incidents which were so often reported and so eagerly
received. The modem reader should also consider, that all the lite-
rature of the middle ages is tinged with narratives of miraculous oc-
currences, and that writers then gave interest to their subjects by
mixing up with the real incidents of life, accounts of supernatural
events produced by saints, witches, or demons, in the same way as
modem novelists enchant their readers by delineating the charms
and natural magic of real life. The novels of Sir Walter Scott may
also be referred to as a proof that the marvellous has not even yet
lost its attractions , although perhaps it may require his master hand
to present the legends and mythology of our ancestors in such a dress
as to give pleasure to modem fastidiousness.

In using the productions of the writers of the middle ages as his-
torical monuments, we should be very guarded in selecting what to
believe, and more particularly perhaps, what to reject : we are no
doubt more ready to discredit what may be really true than to believe
any fisible ; but we should not reject all the incidents mentioned in
ancient writers merely because we find them mixed up with the
miraculous. For, granting that such writers may have been imposed

IBI3H ABCH. 80C. 6. C UpOU

xvm

upon by the reports of others, or by the fanciful temperament of their
own minds, as far as regards preternatural occiurences, it does not
therefore follow that their testimony is to be rejected on the manners
and customs of their own times, or on facts which were of every day oc-
currence, and which it required no philosophy or perfect acquaintance
with the laws of nature to be able to comprehend and to describe.

That the Battle of Magh Rath was a real historical occurrence
and no bardic fiction, cannot for a moment be doubted. It is referred
to by Adamnan, the eighth abbot of lona, who was thirteen years old
when it was fought. In the fifth chapter of the third book of his
Life of St. Columba, speaking of the prophecy which that saint de-
livered to Aidan, he writes as follows :

*' Hoc autem vaticinium temporibus nostris completum est in Bello Bath, Dom-
nallo Brecco, nepote Aidani, sine causa vastante provinciam Domnill nepotis Ainmi-
rech : et a die ilia, usque hodie adhuc in proclivo sunt ab extraneia^ quod suspiria
doloris pectori incutit"

The event is also recorded by the very accurate annalist, Tigh-
ernach, imder the year 637, in the following words :

"A. D. 637 Car Hluije Rach pia "A.D.637. — ^The Battle of Magh Rath

n-Ooihnall, mac Qeoa, coup pia macaib teas fought by Domhnall, son of Aedh,

Qeoa Sldine, peo t>OThnaU pe^auic and by the sons of Aedh Slaine (but

Uemopiam in illo cerapope, in quo ce- Domhnall at this time ruled Temoria), in

C101C Conjal Caech, pi Uloo, ocup Pa- which fell Congal Caech, king of Uladh,

elan, cum mulcip nobilibup; in quo and Faelan, with many nobles; and in

cecioic SuiBne, mac Colmain Cuaip.-' which fell Suibhne, the son of Colman

Guar."

This Suibhne, the son of Colman Guar, was prince of Dalaradia,
and is said to have fled panic-stricken from this battle, and to have
spent many years afterwards in a state of lunacy, roving from place
to place until he was murdered at Tigh MoUng (now St. MuUin's, in
the present county of Carlow), by St Moling's swine-herd. — See
Note ^ pp. 236, 237.

The

XIX

The battle is also mentioned in the Chronicon Scotorum, at tlie
year 636, as follows :

" A. D. 636_Carh TTluije T?ar pia " A. D. 636 The Battle of Magh Ratb,

n-t)oThnall, macQeDa,ocuppiainacaiB by Dornhnall, son of Aedh, and by the

Qeoa 8laine, peo t)oihnall, mac Qe6a sons of Aedh Slaine (but Domlinall, son

pe^^uic Cemopiam m illo eempope, of Aedh, ruled Temoria, at that time) ; in

in quo cecioir Cental Caech, pi Ulao, which fell in the thick of the fight Congal

ocup paelcu, macQipmeaocny, 1 b-ppir- Caech, king of Uladh, and Faelchu, son of

juin, pi TTliDe cum mulcip nobilibup." Airmeadhach, king of Meath, with many

nobles."

" An account of the battle is also given in the Annals of the Four
Masters (but incorrectly entered under the year 634), as follows :

" A. D. 634 Cach mdije Rach pia " A. D. 634 The Battle of Magh Bath,

n-t)omnall, mac Qooa, pcup pia ma- fought by Domhnall, son of Aodh, and the

caib Qooa Slame, pop Gonial Claon, sonsof Aodh Slaine, against Congal Claon,

mac SccmolAm, pi Ulao, ou 1 o-copchaip son of Scanlan, king of Uladh, in which

Gonial, pi Ulao, ocup almupcaib map Congal, king of Uladh, and many foreign-

aon pip." ers along with him, were slain."

Thus translated by Colgan, in note (9) on the fifth chapter of the
third book of Adamnan's Life of Columba :

'' Anno sexcentessimo trigetimo quarto^ et DomnaMi Regis Undecimo ; pradium de
Magh Rath (id est de Campo Rath) in Ultoni^ conseritur per Domnaldum filium Aidi,
filii Ainmirechi, Hibemiffi regem, et filiis Aidi Slaine, contra Congalium Claon, Scan-
dalii filium, Begem Ultonis, et multas transmarinas gentes ei assistentes; in quo
Congalius et multi ex transmarinis occubnerunt^"

After this Colgan states that he had read a history of this bat-
tle, but that he had not a copy of it by him at the time that he was
writing. His words are :

" In historia hujus belli sen prselij, (quam seepius legi, et nunc ad manum non
habeo,) legitur preedictus Congalius, (anno 624, in alio proelio de Dun-<xtheme per
eundem Domnallmn snperatus, et in Albionem relegatus,) ex Scotis Albiensibiis,
Pictia, Anglo-Saxonibus et Britonibos collectum, ingentem exercitum duxisse contra
R^;em Domnaldum ; et postquam per septem dies per totidem conflictus et altemas
victorias dubio Marte acerrime dimicatmn esset ; tandem victoriam Begi Domnaldo

c 2 cessisse,

•

cessisse, interfecto Congalio, et transmorinis copiis atrociter cesis. Cum ergo locus et
tempus belli hujus satis correspondeant, videtur eo tempore facta ilia vastatio quam
suo tempore factam esse indicat Adamnanus. Nam Adamnanus (iuxta iam dicta) anno
624 natus agebat annum decimum, vel undecimum tempore illius pnelii anno 634
gesti."

It is highly probable that Colgan here refers to the account of
the Battle of Magh Rath now printed and translated.

The venerable Charles O'Conor of Belanagare has taken so ac-
curate a view of the political causes and effects of this battle, that the
Editor is tempted to present the reader with the entire of what
he has written on the subject :

" The Treachery of Conall Guthbinn gave the Nation an utter Dislike to the
South Htf'NialU. The North Hy-NiaUs obtained the Throne, and did not deserve
such a preference. Makoba, a pious Prince, was cut off by his Successor Suhney
Meann: He, in Turn, by Congal Claon^ a Prince of the Budrician Race of Uhd^ the
determined Enemy of his Family. DomnaU, the Brother of Malcoba, and son o£ Aodh,
the son of Ainmirey, ascended the Throne, and began his Administration with an Act
of extreme Justice ; that of taking Vengeance on the murderer of his Predecessor.
Congal Claon he defeated in the Battle of Dunkehem, and obliged him- to fly into
Britain ; the common Asylum of the domestic Mal-contents.

" Congal Claon remained nine Years in Exile: And as this Parracide bid fair for
the Destruction of his native Country, he merits particular notice in History. In
Power he possessed some Virtues, and in adversity wore the Semblance of alL Al-
though an Outcast in a foreign Country, divided by different Languages and Interests,
he retained a Dignity of Conduct which often throws a Lustre about Adversity itself.
He kept up his Party at Home, who (by defeating Connad Kerr^ King of the ^/!^anta»
iSboto, and Lord of the Irish Dalriada) supported his interests. Among Strangers, he
had the Iniquity of hb Conduct to justify, and the more cruel Slights, which perse-
cute unfortunate Princes, to manage : He did the one with Plausibility ; he conquered
the other with Patience and Dignity. Able, active, perseverant ; no ill Fortime could
depress his Spirits, no Disappointment fatigue his Ambition. He exerted every Talent
which could win Esteem from the Great, and every Art which could turn that Esteem
to his own Advantage : At Home, formidable to his Enemies, popular among his
friends ; Abroad, brave without Insolence ; flexible without Meanness ; he gave the
Nation a very important Advantage over him ; That of guarding against the Greatness
of his Genius and of uniting against him, although otherwise much divided within

itself.

XXI

itself. This be balanced, by reconciling the most opposite Interests in Britain, when
his canse became an Object of (Consideration. Saxtms, Britons^ Albanian Scots, and
Piets, flocked to his Standard. His domestic Partizans prepared for his Reception, and
he landed with Safety on the Coast of Down^

" DoMNALL, Bang of Ireland, was not unprepared. He had Wisdom in his Coun-
cils, and Troops, who proved a match for equally gallant Troops raised within his
^Kingdom, and for those of the four Nations who joined them. He immediately en-
camped near the Enemy at Moyratk, and began as bloody a battle as can be found in
the Records of that age : It continued with various success for six whole days, until^
Victory declared for the Nation on the seventh. Congal Claon, the soul of the Enemies'
Army, was defeated and slain at the Head of the Troops of Ulad. The foreign Troops
were soon broke with great Slaughter ; and DomnaU Breac, King of the ARninian
Scots, hardly escaped to Britain, with the sorry Remains of a fine Army, which should
be employed for the defence of the people he so wantonly attacked- This Contradic-
tion to every Principle of sound Policy, was foreseen by Columb KiUe, who laboured
so much to reconcile the Interests of the British Scots to those of the parent Country :
' A Prediction,* says St. Adamnan, ' which was completed in our own Time, in the
War of Moyrath ; DomnaU Breac, the Grandson of Aidan, having, without any Pro-
vocation, laid waste the Country of the Grandson of Anmirey : a Measure, which, to
this Day, has obliged the Scotish Nation to succumb to foreign Powers, and which
gives our Heart Grief, when we consider it' This is the Account of a cotemporary
Writer, who was Abbot of the Island of Hy. It is one of the most important Events
in the Scotish History ; and yet, through the Destruction of Records in the Time of
Edward the First, the latter Historians of North Britain were Strangers to it"

" It is certain that Ireland was never in greater Danger, from the first Entrance of
the Scotish Nation, than in this War raised against it by Congal Claon : But the civil
Constitution being sound in the main, resisted the Disease, and shook it off in one
great effort. In a future [? later] age the Posterity of this very People abandoned
their King, their Country, and their own Independence, almost without a Show of
Resistance, to a Handful of foreign Freebooters*."

Notwidistanding the celebrity of the monarch Domhnall, the

grandson

f " This Engagement, so decisive for memorable of late by giving a title to the
the Nation, in the year 637, rendered present learned and worthy possessor, Sir
Moyrath, ever since, famous in the Irish John Bawdon, Earl of Moyra:^
Annals. It retained [ ? retains] the Name « Dissertations on the History of Ire-
down to our own Time, and was rendered land, pp. 214 to 218. Dublin, 1766.

XXll

grandson of Ainmire, and the importance of the Battle of Magh Rath
in the histories of Scotland and Ireland, Mr. Moore, the latest author
of the History of Ireland, does not condescend so much as to name
the monarch or to notice the battle. His defence is as follows :

** Having now allowed so long a period of Irish history to elapse without any re-
ference whatever to the civil transactions of the country, it may naturally be expected
that I should for a while digress from ecclesiastical topics, and leaving the liree of as-
cetic students and the dull controversies of the cloister, seek relief from the tame and
monotonous level of such details in the stirring achievements of the camp, the feuds of
rival chieftains, and even in the pomps and follies of a barbaric court. But the truth
is, there exist in the Irish annals no materials for such digression^ !"

And again,

" With the names of such of these princes as wielded the sceptre since my last
notice of the succession, which brought its series down to A. D. 599, it is altogether
unnecessary to incumber these pages, not one of them having left more than a mere
name behind, and in general the record of their violent deaths being the only memo-
rial that tells of their ever having lived'."

Mr. Moore is confessedly unacquainted with the Irish language ;
and the remains of our ancient literature were, therefore, of course
inaccessible to him. That great ignorance of these unexplored
sources of Irish history should be found in his pages is, therefore, not
surprising: but he ought to have been more conscious of his deficien-
cies in this respect, than to have so boldly hazarded the xinqualified
assertion, thcU. there exist in the Irish annals no materials for the
civil history of the country!

Should the Irish Archaeological Society receive such support
from the public as to enable them to continue their labours, the false-
hoqd of such a statement will be abundantly manifested; and it
will perhaps appear also that, notwithstanding the destruction and
dispersion of so large a proportion of our ancient records, and the
mutilation of those that remain by indifference or malice, there is no

nation

^ History of Ireland, vol. i. p. 275. ^ Ibid. p. 276.

XXlll

nation of Europe that is in the possession of more copious and curious
materials for the illustration of its internal history, civil and ecclesi-
astical, during the middle ages, than despised and neglected Ireland.
" On a deja remarqu^ ailleurs," say the Benedictines, quoted by Mr.
Moore himself ^ " que les gens de ce pays, presqu'k Textremite du
monde, avoient mieux conserve la literature, parcequ'ils etoient moins
exposes aux revolutions, que les autres parties de TEurope."

The Editor cannot close these remarks without returning thanks
to those friends who have assisted him in editing the present work,
but particularly to Dr. Todd of Trinity College, and to Mr. Eugene
Curry.

J. O'D.

i History of Ireland, voL L p. 277.

IRISH

ARCH^OLOGICAL SOCIETY.

At a General Meeting of the Irish Archaeological Society, held
in the Board Room of the Royal Irish Academy, Grafton-street, Dub-
lin, on Monday, the 13th day of June, 1842,

George Petrdb, Esq., M. R. I. A., R. H. A., in the Chair.

The Secretary opened the proceedings by reading the following
Report of the Council, agreed upon at their Meeting of the 2nd of
June :

" The Council, at the end of their year of office, are happy to be able to
announce that the prospects of the Society are such as to leave but little doubt
of its future success.

" They have still, however, to complain that the nobility and gentry of Ire-
land have not joined the Society in sufficient numbers to enable it to undertake
the publication of the more voluminous and difficult of our ancient records.
The total number of Members now on our books being but 241, besides thirteen,
who have not yet paid their subscriptions.

" One cause of this has doubtless been, that the objects of the Society have
been but Uttle known, and where known, have been but imperfectly understood.
In Ireland, where every thing is imhappily viewed, more or less, through the
medium of party, it seemed to the public difficult to conceive how any Society
could be formed without a leaning to one side or the other, and many persons
very naturally held back until the real character of the Society should more

a fully

fully develope itself. It is evident, however, firom the mere inspection of our
list of Members, that these feelings have had but a partial operation ; and the
Society may congratulate itself in having been one of the few successful attempts
in this country to induce men to forget their differences, and unite together in
the promotion of a great national undertaking.

" In addition to this temporary cause of prejudice against the Society, it has
unfortunately happened that several accidental circumstances have retarded the
completion of our publications during the past year ; so that we have had, to
the public, the appearance of doing nothing, and many were led to doubt whether
we were in a condition to fulfil our engagements to our Members.

" These and such like difficulties, however, which have probably kept back
many who ought naturally to have joined us, must gradually be removed by the
publications of the Society ; which, it is hoped, will not only effectually convince
the public of the purity of our intentions, and of the possibility of carrying out
our design without any party bias, but also make known the great value and
interest of the historical documents which it is the object of the Society to bring
to light.

" It is necessary, however, to explain to the Society the cause of the delay
that has taken place in the appearance of the volumes, which have been an-
nounced as the intended publications of the past year.

" The idea of establishing a Society for the publication of the ancient his-
torical and literary remains of Ireland was first seriously entertained at the close
of the year 1 840 ; and a Provisional Council was then formed for the purpose
of ascertaining, by correspondence with the literary characters of the day, and
by circulating a brief statement of the object proposed, whether a Society such
as that to which we now belong would be likely to meet with support from the
public.

" Several months, however, were necessarily spent in these preliminary mea-
siu:es, and early in the year 1841, the Provisional Council had received promises
of such respectable support, as to convince them that success was reasonably
certain, and that they might safely proceed to tlie regular formation of the So-
ciety.

" A Meeting was accordingly called in May, 1 841, at which the fimdamental
laws of the Society were agreed upon, and your present Council appointed for
carrying your designs into effect.

"Up

" Up to that time, however, scarcely any preparations had been made for
printing. The Provisional Council had been in a great measure occupied in
the correspondence necessary for the formation of the Society : nor was it pos-
sible for them, until they had ascertained how far public support could be ob-
tained, to enter upon the engagements necessary for the preparation of many
works with a view to the future publications of the Society.

" All this, therefore, became the duty of your present Council : and they
have endeavoured to make such arrangements, as they hope will ensure to the
Members the regular appearance, within reasonable intervals, of the Society's
books. All the works intended for the present year are in the hands of the
printers, and those in progress are many of them ready for the press, as
soon as the funds at the disposal of the Council will permit their being under-
taken.

" The Council, in addition to the volume of Tracts, and the volume of
Grace's Annals, abeady in the hands of the Society, have resolved that the
Book of Obits of Christ-Church Cathedral, edited by the Rev. Mr. Crosthwaite,
shall also be pven to all who were Members in the year 1 841, or who have
paid the subscription for that year.

" This latter work, though far advanced, is not yet completed ; and from
the peculiar di£Sculties it presents, the necessity of the most exact and careful
collation with the original, and the laborious index and notes which the Editor
is preparing, and which will greatly enhance its value, its progress through the
press must necessarily be slow.

" It is probable, therefore, that some of the works announced for the year
1 842, will be issued before the Book of Obits is ready for delivery. But this
inconvenience the Council are convinced the Society will gladly submit to,
rather than run the risk of doing injustice to the Editor of a volume of such
singular difficulty and interest, by any attempt to hurry its publication.

" Cormac's Glossary, which has been for some time in Mr. CDonovan's
hands, is ready for the press. But it has been held back, partly because the
funds of the Society will not at present admit of its being proceeded with, and
partly because there are some MSS. in England, which ought to be collated
before such a work should be put forth. The coUation of these MSS., how-
ever, would be attended with great expense, as it would be necessary to send
over to England a competent person, and to support him during his stay in the

a 2 neighbourhood

neighbourhood of the Libraries where the MSS. to be consulted are preserved.
The Council have therefore thought it better to defer the publication of this
work for the present ; and in the meantime they are engaged in such inquiries
as they hope may ultimately lead to the satisfactory accomplishment of their
purpose.

" The Royal Visitation Book of the Province of Armagh in 1622, has been
for some time ready for the press, but as it will be a volume of some bulk, and
from the quantity of tabular matter it contains, expensive in printing, it has been
deferred, until the funds of the Society are increased.

" For the same reason Mr. Curry's translations of the ancient Irish historical
tales, *The History of the Boromean Tribute,' and *The Battle of Cairn Cho-
naill,' have been postponed, although both are ready for the press.

" There is one other topic upon which it will be necessary to say a few
words.

"The nvunber and value of the works which have been assigned to the
Members of the last and present years, very far exceed the actual means of the
Society ; nor will it be possible for the Coimcil to bring out books of equal
value, in future years, unless the number of the Members be very much in-
creased. The Council, however, have thought it better to proceed on the sup-
position that the full number of Members, at present limited by the Rules of the
Society to 500, will ixltimately be obtained, and, therefore, they have not hesi-
tated to run the risk, in the first instance, of drawing somewhat more largely
than they would be justified in doing hereafter, on the capital of the Society,
They have every hope, however, that the publication of the volumes now in
progress will bring in a large accession of Members to the Society ; and they
would press upon the existing Members the necessity of exerting their influence
with their friends for this purpose.

** It is desirable to have it made known, that Members now joining the So-
ciety can obtain the books for the year 1841, on paying the subscription of One
Pound for that year ; a privilege which the Council have allowed to such
Members as have joined since the last annual Meeting, and which they would
recommend to continue for the present year. However, they are of opinion
that hereafter, the books of past years, if any should remain, ought to be sold
to new Members at an advanced price, to be determined by the Council for the
time being.

" Since

" Since the appearance of our first publication, the following noblemen and
gentlemen have joined the Society :

The Right Hon. Lord Eliot.

The Right Hon. Lord Albert Conyngham.

Sir Montague L. Chapman, Bart.

Sir Aubrey De Vere, Bart.

John Ynyr Burges, Esq.

Thomas Fortescue, Esq.

Rev. James Kennedy Bailie, D. D.

Clement Fergpison, Esq.

Thomas Hutton, Esq.

Rev. James Graves.

Rev. Classon Porter.

Rev. Charles Grogan.

Samuel Graeme Fenton, Esq.

Colman M. O'Loghlan, Esq.

William Hughes, Esq.

Robert Ewing, Esq.

Rev. Matthew Kelly.

James W. Cusack, Esq., M. D.

Thomas Kane, Esq., M. D. (for the Limerick

Institution).
Edward Wilmot Chetwode, Esq.
Rev. John N. Traheme.
Edward Magrath, Esq. (for the Athensum

Club, London).
Colonel Birch.
William Curry, Jun., Esq.

" The name of William Torrens M^Cullagh, Esq., was omitted, by an acci-
dent, in the list of original Members, published with the last Report ; and the
name of John Low, Esq., was inserted in the same list by a mistake.

" During the past year the Society has lost one of its original Members, the
Rev. Caesar Otway, by death.

^* In conclusion, the Coimcil have to announce that his Excellency the Lord
Lieutenant, upon being informed of the objects of the Society, was graciously
pleased to accept the office of Patron, and the Council have had the honour of
presenting to his Excellency copies of the Society's publications."

The Report having been read, the following Resolutions were
adopted unanimously :

" I. That the Report now read be received and printed, and that the thanks
of the Society be given to the Coimcil for their services."

** 2. That the respectful thanks of this Meeting be presented to His Excel-
lency the Lord Lieutenant, for his gracious condescension in accepting the office
of Patron of the Society."

" 3. That Dr. A. Smith and Mr. Hardiman be appointed Auditors of the
Accounts of the Society for the ensuing year, and that their statement of the
accounts of the Society be printed as an Appendix to the Report."

His

His Grace the Duke of Leinster was then elected President of
the Society for the ensuing year, and the following Noblemen and
Gentlemen were elected as the Council :

The Right Hon. the Earl op Lei-

* TRIM.

The Right Hon. the Viscount

Adare, M. p., M. R. I. A.
The Lord George Hill.
John Smith Furlong, Esq., Q. C.
Rev. Richard Butler, M. R. I. A.
Rev. J. H. Todd, D. D., V. P. R. I. A.

James Mac Cullagh, Esq., LL. D.,

Sec. R. I. A.
Captain Larcom, R. E., M. R. I. A.
Aquilla Smith, M. D., M. R. I. A.
George Petrie, Esquire, R. H. A.,

M. R. I. A.
Jos. H. Smith, Esq., A.M., M.RI.A.
James Hardiman, Esq., M. R. I. A.

It was then moved by the Rev. J. C. Crosthwaite, and seconded
by George Smith, Esq.,

" That the thanks of the Society be presented to the Council of the Royal
Irish Academy for their kindness in giving the Society the use of their rooms
for tlie present Meeting."

And then the Society adjourned.

REPORT

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IRISH ARCH^OLOGIjCAL SOCIETY.

1842.

patron :

HIS EXCELLENCY THE LORD LIEUTENANT OF IRELAND.
HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF LEINSTER.

(iDouiutI :

The Right Hon. the Eahl of Leitribc
The Right Hon. the Viscount Ad are,

M. P., M. R. L A.
Lord George Hill, M. R. L A.
John Smith Furlong, £sq.,Q. C, Trea-

rnrer.
Rev. Richard Butler, M. R. L A.
Captain LARCOif, R. E., M. R L A.

Rev. J. H. Todd, D. D., V. P. R. L A., aS^-

cretary.
James Mac Cullagh, Esq., LL. D., Sec.

R.LA.
AauiLLA Smith, M. D., M. R, L A.
George Petrie, Esq., R. H. A., M. R. L A.
Jos. H. Smith, Esq., A. M., M. R. L A.
James Hardiman, Esq., M. R. L A.

inembers of ^ Sbockts.

[Life Members are marked thus *.]

HiH Grace the Archbishop of CANTEasuRT.
His Grace the Lord Primate of Ireland.

* His Grace the Duke of Buckingham.

* His Grace the Duke of Lbinster.

His Grace the Duke of Northumberland.
The Marquis of Conyngham.
The Marquis of Downshire.
The Marquis of Ely.
The Marquis of Ormonde.

* The Marquis of Kildare.
The Earl of Bandon.
The Earl of Carlisle.
The Earl of Cawdor.

The Earl of Charlemont, M. R. L A.
The Earl of Donouohmore.

The Earl of Dunraten.

The Earl of Enniskillen.

The Earl of Fife.

The Earl Fitzwilliam.

The Earl Fortescue.

The Earl of Leitrdc, M. R. I. A.

The Earl of Meath.

The Earl of Powis.

The Earl of Rosse, M. R. I. A.

The Viscount De Yescl

The Viscount Lismore.

The Viscount Lorton.

The Viscount Massareene.

* The Viscount Palmerston.

The Viscount' Powerscourt.

The

The Viscount Templetown.

The ViscouKT Achsson, M» P. .

The ViscovNT Adare, M. P;, M. R. I. A.

The Vtbcount Morpeth.

The Lord Eliot, M. P.

Lord George Hill, M. R. L A.

Lord Albert Conyngham.

The Lord Bishop of Chichester.

The Lord Bishop of Cashel, Waterford,

and Lismore.
The Lord Bishop of Clooher.

The Lord BisHOPof Cork, Cloyne, and Ross.
The Lord Bishop of Derry and Raphoe.
The Lord Bishop of Down, Connor, and

Dromore.
The Lord Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin, and

Ardagh.
The Lord Bishop of Kildare.
Lord Carberry.
Lord Cremorne.
Lord Farnham.
Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci.

Abraham Abell, Esq., M.R.LA., Cork.

William Antisell, Esq., Abbey-st., Dublin.

Johnll. Armstrong, Esq., A.B., Fitzwilliam-
square, Dublin.

Rev. James Kennedy Bailie, D. D ., M. R. L A.,
Ardtrea House, Stewartstown.

Hugh Barton, jun., Esq., Regent-street,
LoDndoB.

Robert Bateson, Esq., Belview, Belfast.

Miss Beaufort, Hatch-street, Dublin.

Sir Michael Dillon Bellew, Bart., Mount
Dillon, Galway.

Rev. William M. Beresford, Ballytore.

Colonel R. H. Birch, Dublin.

John Blachford, Esq., 36, Moorgate-street,
London.

Maxwell Blacker, Esq., Q. C, Merrion-
square, Dublin.

Loftus Bland, Esq., Pembroke-st., Dublin.

Bindon Blood, Esq., M.R.LA., F.R.S.E.,
Edinburgh.

* Beriah Botfield, Esq., M.P., M.R.LA.,
London.

Right Hon. Maziere Bra^, Lord Chief Baron
of the Exchequer, M.K.LA.

Haliday Bruce, Esq., M.R.I.A., Dublin.

John Bruce, Esq., F.S.A., London.

Rev. Doctor Brunton, Edinburgh.

Samuel Bryson, Esq., Belfast.

John Ynyr Burges, Esq., Parkanaur, i-Dun-
g^non.

Rev. Samuel Butcher, A.M., M.R.L A., Fel-
low of Trinity College, Dublin.

Rev. Richard Butler, A.B., M.R. L A., Trim.

Robert Call well, Esq., M.R.LA., Herbert-
place, Dublin.

Edward Cane, Esq., M.R.LA., Dawson-st.,

Dublin.
George Carr, Esq., M.R.LA., Mountjoy-sq.,

Dimlin.

*Rey. Joseph Carson, A.M., M.R.LA., Fel-
low of Trinity College, Dublin.

Rev. William Carus, A. M., Fellow of Tri-
nity College, Cambridge.

Thomas Cather, Esq., 20, Blessington-street,
Dublin.

Sir Montague L. Chapman, Bart., Killua
Castle, Athboy.

Edward Wilmot Chetwode, Esq., M.R.LA.,
Woodbrook, Portarlington.

Rev. Wm. Cleaver, A.M., Delgany.

Rev. Thomas De Vere Coneys, A. M.,
Professor of Irish in the University of
Dublin.

Fred. W. Conway, Esq., M.R.LA., Rath-
mines-road, Dublin.

J. R. Cooke, Esq., Blessington-st., Dublin.

• Rev. G. E. Corrie, B. D., Fellow of St.

Catherine's Hall, Cambridge.

Very

Very Rev. Henry Cotton, D.C.L., Dean of
Lismore.

Thomas Coulter, Esq., M.D., M.R.I.A.,
Trinity College, Dublin.

James T. Gibson Craig, Esq., Edinburgh.

Rev. John C. Crosthwaite, A.M., Dean's
Vicar, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.

Rev. Edward Cupples, LL. B., V. G. of
Down and Connor, Lisburn.

Miss J. M. Richardson Currer, Eshton
Hall, Yorkshire.

* Eugene Curry, Esq., Dublin.
William Curry, Jun., Esq., Dublin.

* James W. Cusack, Esq., M.D., Kildare-st.,

Dublin.

Rev. Robert Daly, A.M., Powerscourt.

C. Vlibntworth Dilke, Esq., London.

Rev. Robert V. Dixon, A.M., M.R.I.A.,
Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin.

W. C. Dobbs, Esq., Fitzwilliam-pl., Dublin.

M«or Francis Dunne, A. D. C, Brittas,
Ulonaslee.

Rev. Charles R. Elrington, D.D., M.R.I. A.,
Regius Professor of Divinity, Dublin.

Robert Ewing, Esq., Greenock.

Samuel Graeme Fenton, Esq., Belfast.

Sir Robert Ferguson, Bart., M.P., London-
derry.

Clement Ferguson, Esq.

Patrick Vincent Fitzpatrick, Esq., Eccles-
street, Dublin.

Thomas Fortescue, Esq., Ravensdale.

W. D. Freeman, Esq., Upper Mount-street,
Dublin.

Alfred Furlong, Esq., Newcastle, County
Limerick.

John S. Furlong, Esq., Q.C., Leeson-street,
Dublin.

Edmund Getty, Esq., Victoria-place, Belfast.

Rev. Richard Gibbings, A.M., Trinity Col-
lege, Dublin.

Michael Henry GiU, Esq., Great Brunswick-
street, Dubun.

The Knight of Glin, Limerick.

G. B. Grant, Esq., Grafton-street, Dublin.

Robert Graves, Esq., M. D., M. R. I. A.,

Dublin.

Rev. James Graves, Borris in Ossory.

John Gray, Esq., Greenock.

Right Hon. Thomas Grenville, Cleveland-
square, London.

Rev. Charles Grogan, Harcourt-st., Dublin.

John Gumlev, Esq., LL.D., St. Stephen's-
green, Dublin.

James Haire, Esq., Summer-hill, Dublin.

Sir Benjamin Hall, Bart., M. P., Wimpole-
street, London.

J. Orchard Halliwell, Esq., Hon. M.R.L A.,
London.

James Hardiman, Esq., M.R.I.A., Gal way.

Andrew S. Hart, Esq., LL.D., M.R.I. A.,
Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin.

Hon. Algernon Herbert, Saffron Walden.

John E. Herrick, Esq., Eelmount, Cookstown.

Thomas Hewitt, Esq., Cork.

Sir J. W. H. Homan, Bart, Cappoquin.

W. E. Hudson, Esq., Upper Fitzwilliam-
street, Dublin.

William Hughes, Esq., Westland-row, Dublin.

John Hely Hutchinson, Esq., Parb.

Thomas Hutton, Esq., Dublin.

Sir Robert H. Inglis, Bart., M.P., London.

Rev. James Ingram, D.D., President of Tri-
nity College, Oxford.

David Irving, Esq., LL.D., Eduburgh.

John H. Jellett, Esq., A.B., M.R.I. A., Fel-
low of Trinity College, Dublin.

* Robert Jones, Esiq., Portland, Dromore
West.

Robert Kane, Esq., M.D., M.R.I. A., Glou-
cester-street, Dublin.

William Kane, Esq., Gloucester-st., Dublin.

Thomas Kane, Esq., M.D., Limerick.

Denis H. Kelly, Esq., Castle Kelly, Mount
Talbot.

Rev. Matthew Kelly, Maynooth College.

Henry Kemmis, Esq., Q.C., Merrion-square,
Dublin.

TheRt. Hon. the Knight of Kerry, Listowell.

2 Rev.

Rev. Henry Barr? Knox, Monks Eleigh,
Bilderstone, Suffolk.

George J. Knox, Esq., M.R.I. A., Maddox-
street, London.

David Laing, Esq., Signet Library, Edin-
burgh.

Henry Lanauze, Esq., College-green, Dublin.

Captain Thos. A. Larcom, R.E., M.R.L A.,
Dublin.

Rev. William Lee, A.M., M.R.L A., Fellow
of Trinity College, Dublin.

The Right Hon. Baron Lefroy, Leeson-st.,
Dublm.

John Lindsay, Esq., M.R.L A., Cork.

Rev. Humphrey Lloyd, D.D., V. P.R.I. A.,
Fellow or Tnnity College, Dublin.

Rev. Richard Low, Ahascragh, Galway.

Joseph Lowell, Esq., London.

Very Rev. J. P. Lyons, Lyons Port, Ballina.

* Jas. Mac Cullagh^ £sq.,LL.D., M.R.L A.,
Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin.

William Torrens M'Cullagh, Esq., Upper
. Gloucester-street, Dublin.

Alexander M'Donnell, Esq., Dublin.

George M'Dowell, Esq., A.M., M.R.L A.,
Feflow of Trinity College, Dublin.

M*Gillicuddy of the Reeks.

James M'Glashan, Esq., Dublin.

Rev. John M*Hugh, Baldoyle.

John W. M'Kenzie, Esq., Edinburgh.

Rev. Thomas M'Neece, A.M., M.R.L A.,
Fellow of Trinity College. Dublin.

Sir Fred. Madden, Hon. M.R.L A., British
Museum.

James Magee, Esq., Lr. Merrion-st, Dublin.

Edward Magrath, Esq., Athensum, London.

John Mahon, Jun., Esq., Warneford-court,
Throckmorton-street, London.

Pierce Mahony, Esq., Dame-street, Dublin.

Rev. Samuel R. Maitland, F.R.S., F.A.S.,
Palace, Lambeth.

Andrew J. Maley, Esq., Merrion-sq., Dublin.

Henry Martley, Esq., Q.C., Lower Gardiner-

street,

Hartley, t
, Dublin.

George Mathews, Esq., Spring Vale, Belfast
Rev. George Maxwell, Askeaton.

* Andrew Milliken, Esq., Grafton-st, Dublin.

Henry J. Monck Mason, Esq., M.R.LA.,
Dunlin.

Rev. Charles H. Monsell, Coleraine.

William Monsell, Esq., M.R.LA., Tervoe,
Limerick.

Thomas Moore, Esq., Sloperton, Devizes.

John Shank More, Esq., Great King-street,
Edinburgh.

Joseph Neeld, Esq., M.P., Grosvenor-square,
London.

Joseph Nelson, Esq., 28, Gloucester-street,
Dublin.

William Nugent, Esq., Killester Abbey, Ra-
heny. w

Sir Lucius O'Brien, Bart., Dromoland.

Augustus Stafford O'Brien, Esq., M.P., Bla-
therwycke, Northamptonshire.

William Smith O'Brien, Esq., M. P., Car-
moy Hill, Limerick.

The Rt. Hon. Daniel O'Connell, M.P., Lord
Mayor of Dublin.

Mat. O'Connor, Esq., Mountjoy-sq., Dublin.

The O'Donovan, Montpelier, Douglas, Cork.

* John O'Donovan, Esq., Dublin.

Thomas O'Hagan, Esq., Upper Mountjoy-
street, Dublin.

Major O'Hara, Annamoe, CoUooney.

Colman M. O'Loghlen, Esq., Dublin.

Charles O'Malley, Esq., North Gt. George's-
street, Dublin.

Rev. Caesar Otway, A.B., M.R.LA., Dublin,
(Deceased, 1842).

Rev. Mortimer O'Sullivan, D.D., Killyman.

Rt Hon. Sir R. Peel, Bart, M.P., London.

Louis Hayes Petit, Esq., F.R.S., London.

George Petrie, Esq., R.H.A., M.R.LA.,
Great Charles-street, Dublin.

* Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart., Broadway,

Worcestershire.

John Edward Pigott, Esq., 8, Merrion-sq.,
South, Dublin.

Robert

Robert Pitcairn, Esq., Queen-ut., Edinburgh.

Rev. Classon Porter, Larne, County An-
trim.

William Potts, Esq., Dame-street, Dublin.

Hon. Edward Preston, Gormanstown Castle,
Balbriggan.

Colonel J. Dawson Rawdon, M. P., Cold-
stream Guards, Stanhope-street, London.

Rev. L. F. Renahan, College, Maynooth.

Rev. T. R. Robinson, D.D., M.R.I. A., Ob-
servatory, Armagh.

Richard Rothwell, Esq., Rockfield, Kells.

Rev. Franc Sadleir, D.D., V.P.R.I.A., Pro-
vost of Trinity College, Dublin.

Francis A. Sanders, Esq., A.B., Dublin,

Rev. William Sewell, A.M., Fellow of Exeter
CoI%e, Oxford.

Right Hon. Frederick Shaw, M. P., Recorder
of Dublin.

Remmv H. Sheehan, Esq., Mespil House,
Dublin.

Evelyn R. Shirley, Esq., M.P., Eating^on
Park, Shipton-on-Stour.

Rev. J. H. Singer, D.D., V.P.R.I.A., Se-
nior Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin.

Aquilla Smith, Esq., M.D., M.R.I. A., Dub-
fin.

* Rev. John Campbell Smith, Glasgow.

Jos. Huband Smith, Esq., A.M., M.R.I.A.,
Dublin.

William Smith, Esq., Carbeth Guthrie, Stir-
lingshire.

John Smith, Esq., LL.D., Secretary of the
Maitland Club, Glasgow.

* George Smith, Esq., Lower Baggot-street,

Dublin.

John George Smyly, Esq., Merrion-street,
Dublin.

George Lewis Smyth, Esq., Bridge-street,
London.

Sir Wm. Meredith Somerville, Bart., M.P.

Rev. Thomas Stack, A.M., M.R. LA.. Fel-
low of Trinity College, Dublin.

William Stokes, Esq., M.D., M.R. LA., Re-
gius Professor of rhysic, Dublin.

Andrew Storie, Esq., Signet Library, Edin-
burgh.

Hon. Andrew Godfrey Stuart, Aughnacloy.

Rev. Hamilton Stuart, Rochfort, Buncrana.

William Villiers Stuart, Esq., Dromana,
Cappoquin.

Rev. George Studdert, A.B., Dundalk.

* Robert James Tennent, Esq., Belfast.
James Thompson, Esq., Belfast.

Robert Tighe, Esq., Fitzwilliam-sq., Dublin.

• W. F. Tighe, Esq., Inistiogue.

•Rev. J. H. Todd, D.D., V.P.R.LA.. Fel-
low of Trinity College, Dublin.

George Tomb, Esq., Temple-street, Dublin.

Rev. Rob. Traill, D.D., M.R.LA.,F.R.S.E.,
Schull, Skibbereen.

Rev. John M. Traherne, Coedriglan, Car-
diff.

Travers Twiss, Esq., F.R.S., University Col-
lege, Oxford.

Crofton Moore Vandeleur, Esq., Kilrush.

Sir Aubrey de Vere, Bart., Curragh Chase,
Adare.

Sir Hussey Vivian, Bart., M.P., London.

John Walker, Esq., Comhill House, Cold-
stream, W.B.

Rev. Charles Wm. Wall, D.D., M.R. LA.,
Senior Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin.

James A. Wall, Esq., Baggot-street, Dublin.

Hugh Walsh, Esq., Drumsna.

Sam. Hibbert Ware, Esq., M.D., F.R.S.E.,
York.

Charles T. Webber, Esq. M.R. LA., 22,
Upper Gloucester-street, Dublin.

Hon. Henry R. Westenra, Dell, Windsor.

Le&tock P. Wilson, Esq., North Audley-st.,
London.

Rev. J. Wilson, B.D., Fellow of Trinity
College, Oxford.

Rev. James Wilson, D.D., Precentor of St.
Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin.

Edward Wright, Esq., Blessington-street,
Dublin.

Rev. Walter Young, Enniukillen.

FUNDAMENTAL

FUNDAMENTAL LAWS OF THE SOCIETY.

L The number of Members shall be limited to 500.

IL The affairs of the Society shall be mamiged by a President and Council of
twelve Members, to be elected annually by the Society.

IIL Those Noblemen and Gentlemen who have been admitted Members prior to
the first day of May, 1841, shall be deemed the original Members of the Society, and
all future Members shall be elected by the Council.

IV. Each Member shall pay four pounds on the first year of his election, and one
pound every subsequent year. These payments to be made in advance, on or before
the first day of January, annually.

V. Such Members as desire it, may become Life Members, on payment of the
sum of thirteen pounds, or ten pounds, (if they have already paid their entrance fee) in
lieu of the annual subscription.

VL Every Member whose subscription is not in arrear shall be entitled to receive
one <x>py of each publication of the Society issued subsequently to his admission ; and
the books printed by the Society shall not be sold to the public

VIL No Member who is three months in arrear of his subscription shall be en-
titled to vote, or to any other privileges of a Member ; and any Member who shall be
one year in arrear shall be considered as having resigned.

VIII. Any Member who shall gratuitously edit any book, approved of by the
Council, shall be entitled to twenty copies of such book, when printed, for his own use:
and the Council sliall at all times be ready to receive suggestions from Members, rela-
tive to such rare books or manuscripts as they may be acquainted with, and which
they may deem worthy of being printed by the Society.

IX. The Council shaU have power to appoint officers ; and to make by-laws not
inconsistent with the fundamental laws of the Society.

The Council invite the attention of the friends of the Society and of Irish literature
to the plan already proposed in the original Prospectus, of publishing a Miscellany, in
which such shorter Pieces as cannot conveniently be issued in a separate form, may
from time to time appear. The Council wiU be thankful for any tracts or documents
of this kind, which those who have access to public libraries, or family collections, may
have the kindness to send them. Reprints of rare books relating to Ireland form a
most important object of the Society's labours, and any such that may be entrusted to
the Council for publication, will be used with the greatest possible care, and safelj' re-
turned with thanks.

Noblemen

Noblemen and Gentlemen desirous of becoming Members of the Irish Archaeo-
logical Society are requested to forward their names and addresses to the Secretary,
Rev. Dr. Todd, Trinity College, Dublin. The publications of the year 1841 may be
obtained by Members now joining the Society, on payment of the annual subscription
for that year. Literary Societies and public libraries may procure the Society's pub-
lications by causing their Librarian or any other officer to become a Member of the
Irish Archaeological Society in their name.

Subscriptions will be received in Dublin by Messrs. Hodges and Smith, the So-
ciety's Booksellers, 21, College-green.

In London, by Mr. T. Clerc Smith, 1 3, ffenrietta-street, Covent Garden.

In Belfast, by Edmund Getty, Esq., Victoria-place.

In CoBK, by John Lindsay, Esq., Mar^ille, Blackrock.

In Edinburgh, by David Laing, Esq., Signet Library.

In Glasgow, by John Smith, Esq., LL.D., 70, St. Vincent-street.

Those Members who may find it inconvenient to pay their subscriptions to these
gentlemen, will have the goodness to procure a Post-Office order made payable to the
Secretary, Rev. J. H. Todd, D. D., Trinity College, Dublin ; or to the Treasurer, John
Smith Furlong, Esq., Q. C, 146, Leeson-street, Dublin.

ADDITIONAL MEMBERS,

elected since the foregoing list went to PBE88.

\_Life Members are marked thus *.]

• His Excellency Earl De Geey, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

• The Most Noble the Marquis op Waterford.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Clancarty.

Miss M. J. Alexander, Dublin.

Rev. Charles Crosthwaite, A. M., Monas-

terevao.
J. Walter K. Eyton, Esq., F. S. A. Lond.

and Ed., Elgin Villa, Leamington.
ReY. Robert Gage, A. M., Rathlin Island,

Ballycastle.
Rev. W. S. Gillj, D. D.. Norham, Berwick-

on- Tweed.
* Rev. Thomas Goif, Carriglea, Kingstown.

Richard Griffith, Esq., Dublin.

George Alexander Hamilton, Esq., Hamp-
ton Hill, Dublin.

Leonard L. Hartley, Esq., Middleton Lodge,
Richmond, Yorkshire.

• A. J. B. Hope, Esq., M. P., Bedgebury
Park, Lamberhurst.

Rev. John Lingard, D. D., Hornby.

Charles P. Mac Donnell, Esq., Bonabrougha
House, Wicklow.

The

The Most Rev. John Mac Hale, D. D., Tuam.

The Hon. General Meade, Newrj.

Rev. Philip Moore, Rossbercon.

• Rev. Charles Porter, A. M., late Fellow of
Cains College, Cambridge, Aughnamullen,
Ballibay.

Col. Henry Edward Porter, Carrickmacross.

Evelyn John Shirley, Esq., M. P., Carrick-
macross.

W. F. Skene, Esq., Inverletth Row, Edin-
burgh.

Richard Thompson, Esq. (for the London^In-
stitution), Finsbury-square, London.

Rev. M. A . Tierney, F. R. S., F. S. A. , Arundel.

Rev Whitley (for The Portico), Man-
chester.

William Williams, Esq., Aberpergwm, Neath.

* John Wynne, Esq., Hazlewood, Sligo.

pceaOh DUIN NQ N-5eDh.

IBI8B ARCH. 80C. 6. B

pceaoh

pteaoh OUIN NQ N-jeOh,
ocus uucair cacha muisi pach, iNso.

; ampa pop 6ipnm, peachrup anD, .1. Dom-
nac Cteoa, mic Qinmipech, mic ScDna, mic
ipa CennpoDa, niic Conaill ^ulban, tnic
Meill Nai-giallaij, oe cenml Cuochail Ceccrhaip ocup Ugaine
niaip anall. Ip c in c-Ugaine ITlap pin po gab paca gpene ocup
cpca, mapa ocup cfpe, ocup Dpucc, ocup oainn, ocup paca na n-mle
X)tl aicpi5e ocup nemaicpije, ocuj- nac 061I pil a mm ocup a cal-
main, im piji n-6penn do DilpiugoD Oia cloino co bpach. Ocup
po jab lepom Cuacal Ceccmap, mac piachach pinnola, na paca
ceona pop plicc a penacap .1. Ujame TTlaip, ocup 56 do cfpca ppia

cloinD-pium

The orn&mentol initial letter 6 is token
from the Brok of Kells. The Society is
indebted to Dr. Aquilla Smith for the
/ac-timile from which the wood cut was
engraved.

■ Ugaini Mar. — The pedigree of King
Domhnall, up to Ugain^ Mor, is given in

Note A, at the end of the volume^

*• Oaihi, — Ho jab para, literally, " took
or exacted the guaranteea of the sun, Ac."
but as thb would hardly be intelligible
in English, the liberty has been taken of
rendering it as in the text. The historical
fact is also recorded in the Book of Lein-

THE BANQUET OF DUN NA N-GEDH,

AND THE CAUSE OF THE BATTLE OF MAGH EATH.

NCE upon a time there was a renowned king over
W Erin, namely Domhnall, son of Aedh, son of Ain-
nmire, son of Sedna, son of Fergtxs Cennfoda, son of
WConall Gulban, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, of
M the race of Tuathal Techtmhar and Ugaind Mor*.
^Now this Ugaine Mor exacted oaths'* by the aun
and moon, the sea, the dew and colours, and by all the elements
visible and invisible, and by every element which is in heaven and on
earth, that the sovereignty of Erin shoidd be invested in his descen-
dants for ever. And Tuathal Techtmhar, the son of Fiacha Finnola,
exacted the same oaths in imitation of his ancestor Ugaine Mor,

and

Bter, and in the Leabhar Gabhala. O'Fla- canum continet citerioribuB nsque propa-

herty (Ogjgia, p. 260) mentiona it in the gavit. Azioma r^um principum tc mag-

following wards: — "Impenum ultra Hi- natumHibemuBJurejurandoperreacreataa

bemiam in ocddentalibua Europie inauliB onmea Tisibiles et inviaibiles adhibito, sibi,

man Mediterraneo, quod Siculum et Afri- atquep steris GuiB io perpetumnderinxit."

cloino-pium im piji n-Gpenn cap j^apujao na pach pn ocup na
n-oul po naipc-pium poppo, puoilf i Uempac co n-a colamnaib ocuj'
pen-cuaca Cempa ocup TTliDe Do jpep oca cloino-piuni co bpdc;
ocup 56 no paemaD neac Do clouiD Ugaine no Uhuacail piji do
rabaipc uaiDib Do neac aile, ap di cpa, noca DI15 in pij pm ceacc
1 Uemaip, ace mine cuca pepann bup compucain ppia Do clomD
Ujame TTlaip ocup Uuacail Ueccmaip 1 cem bup pij he popaib;
ocup m can ac bela in pij pin, Uemaip Do beic ac clainD Ugaine,
amail po naipc Ujaine pepm pop pipu 6penn, m can po jab jiallu
Gpenn ocup Qlban ocup en cip Ceacha alia naip.

Qp ai pin, po h-epcaineD Cemaip lapum la PuaDan Coqia ocup
la xii. appeal na h-6penn, ocup la naemu Gpenn ap cena. Ocup
cipe no jabaD m piji nip ba h-aba Do beic 1 Cemaip 6 po h-epcain-
eab h-i, ace m c-inaD ba ppuiciu ocup ba h-aibniu lap in pij no
jebaD 6pinn, ip ann no biD a Domndp no a aicpeab. Dorhnall mac

GeDa,

^ For an account of the oath which
Tuathal Techtmhar exacted from the men
of Ireland, see the Book of Leinster and the
Leabhar Gabhala of the O'Clery'8. O'Flar
hertj gives it in the following words:

** Toathalins, regni diademate potitos,
comitia Temorie indixit, ad qiue Hiber-
nis proceres magno nmnero confluxerunt.
Ubi omnes, per sua gentilitia sacramenta,
solem, lunam, ac castera numina, terres-
tria ac ooelestia, quemadmodum sui majores
ipsius majoribus pridem Herimoni et Hu-
goni Yoverunt se cum posteris suis ipsi
ac nepotibus Hibemi» regibus, quamdiu
solum Hibernicum sale ambitum inviola-
tam fidem et obsequium prsestituros.^^ —
Ogygia, part iiL c. ^6.

^ Ceaccu — Leatha is the name by which
Italy is called in the ancient Irish MSS. ac-
cording to Duald Mac Firbis. This story
was evidently written to flatter the pride of
the Hy-NiaU race, and to show that if any
other iiEuiiily succeeded in obtaining the
sovereignty they should be viewed in the
light of usurpers ; and indeed it were well
for the ancient Irish if the sovereignty
had been vested in some one family.
O'Conor, in his Dissertations on the His-
tory of Ireland, states that the Hy-Niali
formed as old and as uninterrupted a dy-
nasty as any family in Europe.

* 6ocpa. — Lothra, now Lorrah, a village
in the Barony of Lower Ormond, in the
north of the county of Tipperary, where St

and stipulated that if the sovereignty of Erin should be contested
with his descendants in violation of these oaths, taken on the ele-
ments, by which he bound them, his progeny should still have the
legitimate possession of Tara with its supporting families, and the
old tribes of Tara and Meath perpetually and for ever"^ ; and that
should any of the race of Ugaine or Tuathal even consent to resign the
sovereignty to any other person, the latter could not, nevertheless, come
to dwell at Tara, unless he had given lands equally ancient as Tara
to the descendants of Ugaine Mor and Tuathal Techtmhar while he
should be king over them ; and that when this king should die, Tara
should revert to the race of Ugaine, according to the injunction laid
by Ugaine himself on the men of Erin, when he took the hostages
of Erin and of the countries extending eastwards to Leatha**.

Notwithstanding this, Tara was afterwards denoimced by St.
Ruadhan of Lothra* and the twelve apostles of Erin, and all the other
saints of Erin, so that, whoever obtained the sovereignty, it was not
auspicious for him to reside at Tara from the time it was cursed, but
the seat and habitation of each king who obtained the chief sway, was
Jixed in whatever locality he deemed most commodious and delight-
ful'. When Domhnall, the son of Aedh, assumed the sovereignty,

RuadHan, or Bodanns, erected a monastery
in the sixth century. For a full account
of the cursing of Tara by this saint, the
reader is referred to the Life of St Rodanus,
published by, the Bollandists, 25th April,
to Mageoghegan^s Translation of the An-
nals of Clonmacnoise, at the year $6^^ and
to Petrie's History and Antiquities of Tara
Hill, p. loi.

^ These royal seats were in various parts
of Ireland; that of the monarchs of the

Northern Hy-Niall race, was at Aileach,
near Deny; the seats of the Southern
Hy-Niall were at Lough Leane, near Castle-
pollard, and at Dun na Sgiath, on the
north-west margin of Loch Ainninn, now
Lough Ennell, near Mullingar ; the seat of
the Dal-Cab was at Kincora, in the town
of Killaloe; and the seats of the two
monarchs of the O'Conor race, at Rath
Croghan, in the present county of Ros-
common, and at Tuam, in the county

Cleba, imoppo, o po jab pije Gpenn ba fean a oun-apup com-

nuibce t)o poejae 6penn cecup Dun na n-get) pop bpu na boinne.

Ocup po copainD pium pecc mupu mop-aiobli imon Dun pm pa

copmailiup Cempaij na pij, ocup p6 ropaino 510 cige in t)uine pin

pa copmailiup cige na Cempac .1. in miDcuaipc mop-aobal, ip mci

no bfo in pi5 pepm ocup na pfgna ocup na h-ollumain, ocu]^ an ip

Deach ppi cec n-Dan olcena; ocup in Cong niuman, ocup in Cong

Cai5en, ocu]^ in Choipip Connacc, ocup m 6acpaip Ulao, ocup

Capcaip na n-jiall, ocup Recla na pileo, ocu]» ^pianan in en

uaime, — ip epioe 00 pigneo la Copmac mac Qipc ap cup Dia injm

.1. Do ^paine — ocu]' na cige olcena cenmocac pin,

CoDlaip

of Galway. But the monarch of Ireland,
of whatever race he happened to be, or
wherever he fixed his residence, was ne-
vertheless called King of Tara as often as
King of Erin by the Bards.

B Dun na n-gedh. — This name is now
forgotten. It was probably the name of
the large fort on the south side of the
Bojne, near Dowth, in the county of East
Meath. In Mac Morissy's copy it is written
Dun na n-gaedh, which seems more cor-
rect. King Domhnall afterwards removed
his residence to Ard Fothadh, near the
town of Donegal, where he died, according
to the Annals of the Four Masters, in the
year 639 [rede 642].

^ Midhchuairt. — For an account of the
Teach Midhchuarta, or Banqueting Hall
at Tara, see Petrie's History and Antiqui-
ties of Tara Hill, p. 160, ef sequent,

^ OUaves. — Ollamh signifies a chief pro-
fessor of any science.

J Long Mumhany — L e. the Munster

house.

^ Long Laigheany — ^L e. the Leinster
house.

' Coisir Connachty — ^L e. the Connaght
Banqueting house.

" EachraU Uladk, — L e- the Ultonian
house. These four houses seem to have
formed a part of the Teach Midhchuarta.

^ Prison of the Hostages, — ^For the situ-
ation of Dumha na n-giall, at Tara, near
which must have stood Carcair na n-giall,
the Prison of the Hostages, see Petrie's
Hist, and Antiq. of Tara Hill, plate 7.

o Star of the Poets. — There is no men-
tion made of this house in Petrie's History,
and Antiquities of Tara Hill.

P Grianan of the one piUar, — This is the
fort called Rath Graine, in Petrie's His-
tory and Antiquities of Tara Hill, p. 192.
The relative situation of all the ruins, as
existing on Tara Hill, in the tenth century,
are shown on plate 10 of that work, and
as they exist at present on plate 6, and

he first selected Dun na n-gedh^, on the bank of the Boinn [the
River Boyne], to be his habitation beyond all the situations in Erin.
And he drew [formed] seven very great ramparts around this
fort after the model of regal Tara, and he also laid out the houses of
that fort after the model of the houses of Tara, namely, the great
Midhchuairt*, in which the king himself, and the queens, and the
oUavesS and those who were most distinguished in each profession,
sit; also the Long Mumhan\ the Long Laighean"", the Coisir Con-
nacht\ the Eachrais Uladh", the Prison of the Hostages", the Star of
the Poets**, the Grianan of the one pillar"* (which last had been first
built at Tara by Cormac Mac Art**, for his daughter Grainne), and
other houses besides.

also on the Ordnance Map of the county
of Meath, Parish of Tara.

** ChmMC Mae Art, — The commence-
ment of the reign of this monarch is re-
corded in the Annals of Tighernach, at
A. D. 218, and his death is entered in
the Annals of the Four Masters at the
year 266. His daughter Graine, for whom
the Grianan here mentioned was erected,
was the wife of the celebrated warrior
Finn Mac CumhaiU, the Fingal of Mac
Pherson's Ossian. The word " Grianan"
may be thus correctly defined : i. A beau-
tiful sunny spot, as Grianan Calraighe, a
place in the parish of Calry, in the north
of the county of Sligo. In this topogra-
phical or rural sense, it is translated by
Colgan, tUarium^ terra Solaris, (Acta SS.
p. 13, not 6). 2. A bower or sununer-
house. 3. A balcony or gallery, a boudoir.
4. A royal palace. In the third and
fourth sense here set down, this word is

One

very frequently used in the old Irish His-
torical Tales and Romances. The follow-
ing description of the erection of a Gria-
nan, as given in a very ancient historical
tale, entitled Fledh Bricrinn, L e. the
Feast of Bricrenn, preserved in Leabhar
na h-Uidhri, a MS. of the twelfth century,
now in the possession of Messrs. Hodges
and Smith, will give one a tolerably cor-
rect idea of what the ancient Irish meant
by the word : — '* Then did Bricrenn erect a
Grianan near the couch of King Concobhar
and those of the heroes. This Grianan
he formed of gems and various rich mate-
rials, and placed on it windows ofglas» on
every side. One of these windows he placed
over his own couch, so that he might see
the whole extent of the great house out
of it"

In the third sense it is used in the
Leabhar Breac, fol. 27, a, a, to translate
the Latin word ccenacvlum.

Coolaip Domnall aoaij lapum ip in cij y^x\y ocup acct pfp ocup

aiplinci irrjnaD, ocup ip e ac conaipc cuilen con po h-aileo laip

(.i.peapjlono ainn) in chon pin) pop a jlun pepir. a Dul pop Duible

ocup Da]*acc uatKi, ocu]' cuanapra Gpenn ocup Qlban ocup Saxan

ocup bpecan t)o cmol t)o'n cuilen pin, co capt)-pac pecc caca Do'n

pij CO pepaib 6penn ime ppi pecc laa na peccmame, ocup co

capDca dp ceant) ccuppu cac lain Dib-pm, ocup in peccmaD laa

ann po mebait) pop na conu, Ocup po mapbca c6 in pij, an oap-

laip, ip in cac oeiocnac Dib pin. TTlupclaip lapum in pig ap a

codIud ocup 00 caet) Do biDj ap in imtMH^ co m-bui lomnocc pop

uplap in cije. Do bepc umoppo ben in pij, J. ingen pij Oppaije,

a t)i laim im a bpajaic, ocup apbepc ppip, aipip ocum-pa, a pi^,

ol y»i, ocup na cue h'aipe pe pijipib aioce, ocup na poc uamnaigcep

cpicu; ap acac Conaill, ocup Gojam, ocup Qipjialla, ocup Clann

Colmain, ocup Sil Qeoa Slaine, ocup cecpe pine Uempach imuc

anochc ip in cij pi, ocup aipip pop ceill, ol ]»i.

bennacc

' Vision The word fif is given in 193. She was probably the sister of Croin-

Cormac's Glossary as cognate with the seach,thedaughterofAedh Finn, Prince of

Latin word visio, Ossory, who was married toKingDornhnall's

* Brin Its Nominative is €ipe, Gen. brother, Maelcobha, the clerk. The death

eipenn, Dat or Oblique case Gipmn. of Duinsech is recorded by all the Irish

* Alba, now Scotland. Norn. Qlbo, Gen. Annalists; Tighemach, whose chronology
Ctlbon, Dat or Oblique case Qlbam. is the most correct, dates it A. D. 639.

" Sacfon, L e. that part of England ^ Race ofCanaUj — ^L e. the descendants

then in the possession of the Saxons. of Conall Gulban, who was the youngest

^ ftpeocain, i e. that part of Britain son of the monarch Niall of the Nine

then in the possession of the Welsh or an- Hostages, and who died in the year 464.

cient Britons. They had their possessions in the present

^ Qp cenn, literally " slaughter of county of Donegal, and in later ages

heads," i e. of men; atrages capitum. branched into several great families, as

* The kinfs wife She was named Duin- O'Muldory, O'Canannan, O'Donnell, O'Do-

sech,accordingto the history of remarkable herty, O' Gallagher, O'Boyle, &c

women, preserved in the Book of Lecan,foL ■ Bace of Eoghavi^ — L e. the descendants

One night as Domhnall afterwards slept in this house, he had a
vision' and a dream : he saw a greyhound whelp, Fearglonn by name,
which had been reared by himself, go forth from him, even from his
knee, with rage and fury, gathering the dogs of Erin*, Alba*, Saxon-
land" and Britain'' ; and they gave the king and the men of Erin
around him seven battles during the seven days of the week, and a
slaughter of heads'* was made between them each day, but on the
seventh day the dogs were worsted, and in the last battle the king's
own hoimd, as he thought, was killed. The king then awoke from
his sleep, and he sprang affrighted from his bed, so that he was naked
on the floor of the house. The king's wife*, the daughter of the king
of Ossory, put her two arms about his neck and said to him, " Tarry
with me, O king," said she, " and do not heed visions of the night, and
be not affiighted by them, for the race of Conall' and Eoghan*, the
Oirghialla*, the Clann Colmain**, the sons of Aedh Slaine*^, and the
four tribes of Tara*, are around thee this night in this house, and

therefore j^ said she, " remain steady to reason."

" A blessing

of Eoghan, son of the same monarch. Mahons, O'Carrolls, O'Hanlons, Magtdres,

Eoghan died in the year 465. After the O'Hanraghtys, Mac Kennas, &c. &c Their

establishment of surnames the more distin- country comprised the counties of Louth,

guished families of this race were O'Neill, Armagh, and Monaghan, and the greater

Mac Loughlin) O'Kane, O'Hagan, O'Gorm- part of Fermanagh,

ley, O'Quin, Mac Cathmhaoil, now Mac ^ Clann Cdmainy — ^L e. the Race of Col-

Cawell, 0*Mullen, &c &c. man, the son of Dermot. This Colman

• JTie OirghiaMa, — They were the de- flourished about the year 562, and was

scendants of the three Collas, who de- the ancestor of the O'Melaghlins of West-

stroyed the Ultonian palace of Emania, in meath, the chiefs of the Southern Hy-

the year 333 (Ann. Tighemach.), and drove Niall race,

the ancient Ultonians, or Clanna Rudh- ^AedhSlaine, — He reigned jointly with

ndghe, beyond Glen Righe and Liough Colman, the son of Baedan, from the year

Neagh, into the present counties of Down 599 to 605.

and Antrim. In later ages the principal ** The four tribes of Tara. — The four

families of the Oirghialla were the Mac tribes or families of Tara, after the esta-

IBISH ABCH. SOC. 6. C

bennacc pope, a ben, ol pe, ip maic pom cecaipcip; ocup do
caeo lee ip m leapaiD lap pin; ocup po lappacc m pigan pcela
oe ciD ac conaipc ip in pfp. Ni eibep ppic a pi^an, ol pe, na ppi
neac aile, no co poipiup co h-aipm a pil TTlaelcaba Cleipech, mo
oepbpacaip, ap ip ebpeichem aiplinjci ip Deach pil a n-6pinn.

Ceic lapum in pij i cinD mipceo caippcech co h-aipm a m-bui
ITlaelcaba, mac QeDa, mic Qinmipec, co Opuim Dilaip, uaip ip ann
po Bui lap pdgbail pigi n-Gpenn ap gpab De ocup in Choimbeb na
n-Dul, ocup ofpepc m-bec ai^i ann pm, ocup en oeicnebup ban, ocup
ceo cleipec a lin ann pin, ppi h-oippeno ocup ceilebpaD cec cpaca.
Rainic umoppo m pig co D]iuim Dilaip co ceac TTIailcaba, ocup
pepcap pailci ppipann, ocup Do gnicep popaic Doib, ocup ac najap
biao ooib cu m-ba paiceaciacuile. Qnaic ann pm ppi peccmain,ocup
innipioDomnalliapum a aiplinjci DoTllaelcaba co leip,ocupapbepc
ppip, beip bpeic puippe pm, a bpat&aip inmain, ol pe. Ro h-imDep^ca
lapum im TTlaelcaba lap cloipcecc na h-aiplm^ri, ocup apbepc, ip
cian o ca a caippnji in aiplin^ce pm, a pi^, ol pe, ocup bepac-pa
bpeic puippi. TTlac pij, ol pe, ocup cuilen con, inano aiplmji
ooib, Qcac Da Dalca ajuc-pa, a pij, ol pe, .i, Cobcach Caem mac

Rajallai^

blishment of surnames, were the O'Harts,
O'Regans, O'KcUys of Bregia, and O'Conol-
1 ys. See prose version of O'Dugan's To-
pographical Poem, drawn up for Maguire
by the Four Masters, in the MS. collection
of Messrs. Hodges and Smitli, No. 178,
p. 345, line 1 2.

* Maelcobha, the derie^ the son of Aedh,
was King of Ireland from the year 612 to
615, when he retired to Druim Dilair,
having resigned the government to Suibhne
Meann, who reigned till the year 628,

when Domhnall, the brother of Maelcobha,
and hero of this tale, succeeded.

f Druim Dilair was the ancient name of
a place near Bellcek, in the barony of Magh-
eraboy, and county of Fermanagh. See
O'Reilly's Irish Writers, pp. xli, xlii; also
the Leabhar Gabhala of the O'Clerys, reign
of Maolcobha, pp. 1 86 to 1 89, where Druim
Dilair Is described as near the margin of Caol
Uisce, now Caol na h-Eirne, near Belleek.

^Hermitage, — ^t)i|*epc, which is the name
of many places in Ireland, is translated

" A blessing be upon thee, O woman," said he, " well hast thou
quieted me ;" and he then returned with her into the bed. And the
queen requested him to relate to her what he had seen in the vision.
" I will not tell it to thee, O queen," said he, *' nor to any one else,
until I reach the place where Maelcobha, the cleric,* my brother, is,
for he is the best interpreter of dreams in Erin,"

In a month afterwards, the king proceeded with a hundred
chariots to Druim Dilair,*^ where Maelcobha, son of Aedh, son of
Ainmire, was dwelling, having resigned the sovereignty of Erin for
the love of God, the creator of the elements, and having here a small
hermitage,^ with ten women, and one hundred clerks to offer masses
and sing vespers at the hours. The king arrived at Druim Dilair at
the house of Maelcobha, where he was welcomed, and where a
resting-place was prepared for him and his people, and food was
distributed to them till they were all satisfied. They remained here
for a week, and DomhnaU fully revealed his dream to Maelcobha,
and said to him, " Give thy judgment on that, dear brother." Mael-
cobha grew red on hearing the dream, and said " It is long since the
events shown in that dream were predicted, king," said he, " and I
will pass my judgment upon it. A greyhound whelp in a dream," said
he, " is the same as a king's son : thou hast two foster-sons, king,"
said he, " namely, Cobhthach Caemh,** the son of Eaghallach, the son of

Uadach

de9ertu8 lociu and de$ertum by Colgan.
(Acta SS. p. 579, cap. 3). It originally
meant desert or wilderness, but it was
afterwards applied to a hermit's cell or
habitation, as appears from the Leabhar
Breac, foL 100, a, a, and a MS. in the Lib.
Trin. ColL (H. 2. 18.) foL 113, b, a.

^ Cobhtach Caemh, — No mention is made
of this Cobhthach in the Irish Annals, but

the death of his father, Raghallach, is
noted by Tighemach, at the year 649, and
that of his brother Cellach, at the year
705. '* Cellach Mac Ragallaigh Righ Con-
nacht post dericatum obiUJ*^ The name
Cobhthach, which signifies vidorwua, is
still preserved in the family name O'Cobh-
thaigh, which is usually anglicised Coffey,
without the prefix O'.

Rojallais, mic Uaoach; pig Connacc in Rajallac hipn; ocup
Conjal Claen, mac Scannlam Sciaclecam; pij Ulao pcfin m ci
Conjal. QpoaigpiD ceccap oib i c'agaiD-piu, a pij, ocu|* Do bepa
Dibep^aij ocup oep Denma uilc Qlban, ocup Ppangc, ocup Saxan,
ocup bpecan laip do cum n-Gpenn, ocup Do bepac pecc caca Duic-
piu ocup D*pepaib 6penn ap cena, cu m-ba h-ilapba np ploj popaib
Diblinib^ ocup in peccmaD cac cuippircp eccpaib caecpaiD Do
Dalca-pu ip in cac pin. Ocup ip i pin bpec na h-aiplinjci ac conap-
caip, a pij, ap TTlaelcaba, ocup apeb ip coip Duicpiu, a pij, olpe,
pleaD Do rupjnam a^uD, ocup pip Gpenn Do capglom Dia caicim
ocup jeill caca cuiciD a n-6pinn do jabail, ocup na Di Dalca pm
pilec ajuD-pa Do congbail a n-jlapaib co ceann m-bliabna. Qp
ip ncccap Dib cic ppir, Daij ceic a neirii apcac ai]lin5ci allapcij
DO blmDam; ocup a lejuD amac lap pm, ocup peoDu lUiDa ocup
mafne Dipfme Do cabaipc Doib lapum.

Ni Dingencap pin lim-pa, ol m pij, dp ip cii|'ca no puicpinD
pi Gpe map Do jenamD pell pop ma balcaDaib pepin, ap ni cic-
paiD ppim-pa caiDce, ocup Dm cipcaip pipu in Domain ppim-pa ni
ricpaD Cor.jal. Conao ann apbepc po:

Qc conapc aipbnji n-olc,

peccmain pop mfp jup a nocc,

ip Do canajup om' rig,

D*a h-aipneip D*a h-inmpin.

nio cuilen-pa cuanna a clu,

pepjlonn pepp h-i na cec cu,

Dap

» Congcd Claen is called Congal Caech wry-eyecL

in the Annals of Tighemach, at the year ^ Then he said, — This is the usual ar-

637, and Congal Caoch, or Congal Claon, rangement of ancient Irish tales: a cer-

in the Annals of the Four Masters, at the tain portion of the story is first told in

year 624. It appears from this story that prose, and the most remarkable incidents

both epithets are synonymous, and mean in the same afterwards repeated in metre,

Uadach ; (this Raghallach is king of Connaught); and Congal Claen*,
the son of Scannlan of the Broad Shield ; Congal himself is king of
Ulster. Either of these will rise up against thee, O king, and wiU
bring the plunderers and the doers of evil of Alba, France, Saxon-
land, and Britain with him to Erin, who will give seven battles to
thee and the men of Erin, so that great slaughter shall be made be-
tween you both, and in the seventh battle which shall be fought be-
tween you, thy foster-son shall fall. And this is the interpretation of
the vision thou hast seen, O king," said Maelcobha. / " Now it is proper
for thee, O king," said he, " to prepare a banquet, and to invite to it
the men of Erin, and to obtain the hostages of every province in
Erin, and also to detain in fetters, to the end of a year, these two foster-
sons of thine, because it is one of them who will rise up against
thee, and because the venom goes out of every dream within the
year. Then set them at hberty, and bestow many jewels and much
wealth upon them."

" This shall not be done by me," said the king, " for sooner would
I quit Erin than deal treacherously by my own foster-sons, for they
will never rise up against me, and if all the men of the world should
oppose me Congal would not." And then he said^ :

/DamhnalL — " I have seen an evil dream,

A week and a month this night,

In consequence of it I left my house.

To narrate it, to tell it.

My whelp of estimable character,

Ferglonn, better than any hound,

Methought

often in the nature of a dialogue between amusement of their chieftains, at their

two of the principal characters. It is public feasts, and that the portions giveii

generally supposed that these stories were in metre were sung. — See Preface
recited by the ancient Irish poets for the

Dap lin po cmoil tmm cuain,

O'dp mill 6pinn ppi h-oen uaip.
5cp-p bpeic pfp uippc-pin,

uaic a TTlailcaba, clepij

^f cu olfjef CO h-eimeach,

ac FT^5» ^^ pfp-cleipech,
TTlac pij ip cuilen mflcon,

inanD ooib jup ip gniThpab;

inano menma Doib malle,

Ociip inanD aiplmje.
TTlac pij Ulao, apD a pmacc,

no mac pij cuiceD Connacc,

Cobcach — ^cic ppic ap cec poen,

no a peap cumca, Conjal Claen.
Cobcach Do ciaccain ppim-pa,

maip^ a oeip, uaip ip innpa;

ip m cicpao Conjal cam,

ppim-pa ap Dcpj-op in Domain.
Comaipli na millpcD ncac,

uaim Duic, a ui Qmmipec:

a n-gabail pe bliabam m-bam,

ni ba mepaiDi h' eDail.
TTIaips aipe Do cuaiD Do'n jup,

Dia nom' jebab aicpecup,

Da n-DepnainD, nip puaipc in jlonn,

noca DecpainD ceill na conD.

Qc.

Cic m pig Dia cij lap pin, ocup po cinoilleD pleaD bainDpi laip
DO 6enam bainDpi a 6iiine ocup a pij;e, ocup ni paib a n-GpinnDun

* amail

Methought assembled a pack
By which he destroyed Erin in one hour.
Pass thou a true judgment upon it,

Maelcobha, cleric,

It is thou oughtest readily,
Thou art a seer and a true cleric."

Mdelcohha. — " The son of a king and a greyhound whelp

Show the same courage and exploits ;
They have both the same propensity,
And in dreams are [denote] the same thing.
The son of Ulster's king of high authority.

Or the son of the king of the province of Connauglit,
Cobhthach, — ^will oppose thee in every way,
Or his playmate, Congal Claen." ...

Doinhnail. — " That Cobhthach should oppose me

It is cruel to say, for it is diflEicult;
And the comely Congal would not rise up
Against me for the world's red gold."

Maelcobha, — " A counsel which shall injure no one

Prom me to thee, grandson of Ainmire :

To fetter them for a fuU bright year;

Thy prosperity will not be the worse for it."

Doinhnail. — "Alas, for the judge who came to the decision,

Por which remorse would seize me;
Should I do the deed, 'twould not be joyful,

1 would not consult sense or reason.

I have seen," &c.

After this, the king returned to his house, and prepared a banquet
to celebrate the completion of his palace and his accession to the

throne.

amail a 6fin-fum, ace nap ha bmD laip a?i pfjam ocu]* la Dom-
nail pepin a amm j. Dun na n-^eo Do joipoip De, Ociip ip e
po pdib Domnall ppi a niaepu ocup ppi a peccaipiu, ocup ppi
h-oep cobaij a cana ocup a cipa, ina b-puijbeDip a n-6pinn De
^151^ 5^t) t)o cabaipc leo Do cum na pleiDc pm, ap nip bo miao
la Domnall co m-beic 1 n-6pinD cenel m-bfD nach puigbicea popp
m pleiD pin, Ro cinolaD cpa m pleaD uile icip pfn, ocup mfD,
ocup copmaim, ocup cenel cec bfD olcena, cenmocac na h-uiji
nama, dp nip ba peiD a pdjbail.

Ocup Do DeacaDap oep in cobaij peacnoin TTlfoe pop lapaip
na n-uije, conupcaplaDap pop Duipreach m-bec,ocupoen bann)K:al
ann, ocup caille Dub pop a cmD, ocup pi oc ipnai^re ppi Dia. Gc
ciaD mumcip in ]ii5 ealca do ^eDaib 1 n-Dopup in Duipcfje. Ciajaic
ip m ceac ocup po jabac lanD Ian De uijib 566 ann. Ocup apbep-
caDap pop pen maic Dun, ol lac, uaip Dia pipmip 6pe, ni puijbicea
ni buD mo olDapeo De uijib jeD in oen inaD innci. Nipu penmaic,

icip

^ His accession to the throne, — It was a Magh Rath,
custom among the Irish chieftams to give " To procure them, — That is, it was not

a feast at the completion of any great work, easy to procure them at that season, as

or on their succession to the chieftain- geese do not lay throughout the year,
ship. ° Duirtheach, — This word has been in-

' Dun na n-Gedh signifies the dun or correctly rendered nosocomium by Dr.
fort of the geese. In Mac Morrissy's copy O'Conor, throughout his translation of
of this Tract, which was corrected by Peter the Irish Annals, but correctly poeniten"
ConneU, now forming No. 60 of the MS, tium oedes^ and domus pcenitentice, by Col-
collection of Messrs. Hodges and Smith, it gan, who understood the ancient Irish
is written 2>ttnita n-Gaet/^,i. e. the fort of language far better than Dr. O'Conor.
the darts or wounds. It is curious, that (Acta SS. p. 407 and 606). Peter ConneU,
the writer of the story does not state why in his Dictionary, explains it, a house of
King Domhnall had imposed such a name austerity, rigour, and penance. There are
on his new palace. It does not appear to several ruins of Duirtheacks still remain-
be derived from the goose eggs which are ing in Ireland, and we learn from an ancient
made the principal cause of the battle of vellum MS. in the Library of Trinity Col-

throne*". There was not in Erin a fort like his fort, but neither the
Queen, nor Domhnall himself, deemed the sound of the name by which
it was called melodious, viz.. Dun na n-Gredh*. And Domhnall com-
manded his stewards and lawgivers, and the collectors of his rents
and tributes, to gather and bring to the feast all the goose eggs that
could be found in Erin, for DomhnaU did not deem it honourable
that there should be in Erin a kind of food that should not be found
at that banquet ; and aU the materials were collected for the feast,
wine, metheglin, and ale, and every kind of food besides, except the
eggs alone, for it was not easy to procure them".

And the collectors went forth throughout Meath, in search of the
eggs, until they came to a small Duirtheaxjh" [hermitage], in which was
one woman" with a black hood^ upon her head, and she praying to God.
The king's people saw a flock of geese at the door of the Duirtheach ;
they went into the house and foimd a vessel full of goose eggs. " We
have had great success," said they, " for should we search Erin, there
could not be found more goose eggs together in one place than are
here." " It wiU not be good success," said the woman, " and it will not

redound

l^e, Dublin, that the Duirtheach was the Erc's Hermitage.

smallest of the sacred edifices in use ^ One woman. — The word bannjx^al,

amongst the ancient Irish. See the pas- which is also written bcmp^al, is now ob-

sage given in fuU in the second part of solete, but it occurs so frequently in the

Mr. Petrie's Inquiry into the Origin and ancient MSS. that its meaning cannot be

Uses of the Round Towers of Ireland, mistaken. It is always used to denote

where the meaning of the word is di^- female or womian^ as is peppcal to denote

cussed at full length. m4de or man. 'Mp cpia bcmp^al cainic

The site of the Duirtheach above re- b6f oo*n bir, L e. it is through, or on ac-

ferred to, which is on the margin of the count of, a woman, death entered into the

Boyne, near the village of Slane, in the world." — Leabhar Breac.

county of £a8t Meath, is now occupied by p With a black hood, — The word caiUe

a small chapel in ruins, which, though is evidently cognate with the English

only a few centuries old, is still called word cowL It is translated velum by Ck>l-

IBISH ARCH. SOC. 6. D

irip on, ol in bannpcal, ocup ni ba Ifch Do'n plfeit) jup a m-fcepreap
m m-bec ni-bfb pin. Cm pin? ol lar. Nvn. ol m banny»cal ; naem
mipbuloa t)o nminorip Oe pil punn .1. Gppuc 6apc Slame, ocup ip e
n moo beic ip in 6oinn conice a of ocpail o maoam co pepcop, ocup
a palcaip popp m cpacr ina pmonaipi, ocup pe oc ipnaijn 00
jpep; ocup ip 1 a ppomt) ceca nona mp cocr punn uj co leich
ocup cpi gay^a 00 Bipop na 6oinne; ocup ip e ip coip ouib-pi cen a
papujat) imon m-bec m-bm pm pil aici. Ni capopar lapum
mumnrip uaibpec in pij nac ppeagpa puippi. Uaip baoap aicij
a h-ucr cpeoin lao t)o*n cup pin, ocup bepaic leo cum in pipeom
ocup m naeim oia amoeom. TTIaips cpa gup a pucao m m-bec
m-bfo pm, ap po pap mop olc t>e lapcain, uaip ni paibe 6piu oen
aoaij o pin ille a ]*ity na a pocpa, no cen pun uilc ocup eccopa 00
Denum inoci co cenn achaib.

Cic m c-eplam oia cij lapum .1. Gppuc Gape Slame, cpacnor.a,
ocup mni]»m in bannpcal pgela a y^apuijjce do. pepjaigcep uime
pm m pipen, ocup apbepc: nf pu pen maich oo'n ci jup a pucat)
m cenel bfb pm, ocup nap ub e pfb na leap 6penn cic oo'n pleib
gup a pucat); ace jup ab e a h-impepna, ocup a congala, ocup a
h-epfo cic Di. Ocup po epcam lapum in pleat) amail ip neim-
neacu pop caemnacaip a h-eapcame.

Q m-bacap

gan, and explained in a Glossary preserved
in a MS. in the Library of Trinity College,
(H. 3. 18.) p. 524. " 6p^iD oub," a black
veil ; and by O'Clery, " 6peiD biop ap
ceannaib ban," Lea veil which women
wear on their heads. O'Brien, in his Die*
tionary, explains this word, *^a veil or
cowl given to a nun or monk," and quotes
the following passage ftx)m an Irish Life
of St Bridget, which puts its meaning

beyond dispute : " po huaip mac Caille
caiUe uap ceann naoiii 6pi^e, L e. Po-
suit Maccaleus velum super caput Sanctce
BrigidoB,'*'*

^ Bishop Ere. — This is an anachronism,
for Bishop Ere, of Slaine, who was cotem-
porary with St. Patrick, died in the year
514 (Ussher's Primordia, p. 442), and this
battle was fought in the year 638, that is,
124 years after Erc's death I The pro-

redound to the happiness of the banquet to which this small quantity
of provisions will be brought." " Why so?" said they. " It is plain,"
said the woman; "a wonder-working saint of God's people dwells
here, namely, Bishop Ere, of Slaine**, and his custom is to remain im-
mersed in the Boinn,^ up to his two arm-pits, from morning till evening,
having his Psalter before him on the strand, constantly engaged in
prayer ; and his dinner every evening on returning hither is an egg
and a half, and three sprigs of the cresses of the Boinn ; and it be-
hoves you not to take away from him the small store of food which
he has. But the proud people of the king made no reply to her, —
for they were plebeians in the shape of heroes on this occasion, —
and they carried away the property of the righteous man and saint,
in despite of him [her]. But woe to him to whom this small quantity
of food was brought, for a great evil sprang from it afterwards ; for
Erin was not one night thenceforward in the enjoyment of peace, or
tranquillity, or without a desire of evil or injustice, for some time.

The holy patron. Bishop Ere, of Slaine, came to his house in the
evening, and the woman told him how he was plundered. The
righteous man then became wroth, and said : " It will not be good luck
to tlie person to whom this kind of food was brought; and may the
peace or welfare of Erin not result from the banquet to wliich it
was brought ; but may quarrels, contentions, and commotions be the
consequence to her." And he cursed the banquet* as bitterly as he

was able to curse it.

bability is, that the original composer of which flows through the towns of Trini,
the story had written Comharba [L e. sue- Navan, and Drogheda, and has its source
cesser] of Ere, of Slaine; but all the copies in Trinity Well, at the foot of a hill, an-
te which we have access at present agree ciently called Sidh Nechtain, in the barony
in making the Saint Ere himself. — See of Carbery, and county of Kildare.
Note B, at the end of the volume. * He cursed the banquet — It would ap-
'J?o/«w, now the celebrated River Boyne, pear that the irritability said to be so dis-

Q m-barap Tmnnnnp in pi^ ann lap pin ina comoail, ar concarap
in lanamuin cucu .i.bean ocuppeap; mcoicep ppi mulba Di cappaic
pop pleib cec m-ball Dia m-ballaib; jepicep alran beppca paebup
a lupjan; a pdla ocup a ii-eapcaoa pempu; 56 pocepora miac Di
ublaib pop a ccnnaib ni poipeD uball oib lap, acr conclipco pop
bapp cec oen puamne Do'n pule ajjapb, aicjep, po innpap rpia n-a
5-cenDaib; guipmcep ^ual, no Duibicep Deacaij cec m-ball Dib;
jilirep pnecca a puile; concepcac pabach Dia pepicraip conclipeo
Dap cul a cmD peccaip, ocup concepDac pabach Dia pep uacraip
con poiljeD a n-gluine; ulca popp in m-bannpcail ocup in peppcal
cen ulcain. Dpolbach eruppu ^jd h-imapcop Idn De uijib 56D.
bennacpac Do*n pi^ po*n innap pm. CiD pin? ol in pij. Nin. oliac,

pipu

procul arceatur : et ipsis ecclesiis ab irre-
verenti populo debita veneratio vel servi-

ting^uisbing a feature in tbe Irish character,
was, at least in those times, exhibited as
strikingly by the ecclesiastics as by the
laity. In the twelfth century Giraldus
Cambrensis wrote the following curious
remark on this subject:

^^ Hoc autem mirabile mihi et notabile
videtur: quod sicut nationis hujus homi-
nes hac in vita mortal! prte aliis gentibus
impatientes sunt et praecipites ad vindic-
tam: sic et in morte vitali, meritis jam
excelsi, pr» aliarum regionimi Sanctis,
animi vindicis esse videntur. Nee alia mihi
ratio eventus hujus occurrit: nisi quoniam
gens Hibemica castellis carens, prsedoni-
bus abundans, Ecclesiarum potius refugiis
quam castrorum mimicipiis, et praecipue
Ecclesiastici viri seque suaque tueri solent :
divina providcntia simul et indulgentia
gravi frequentique animadversione, in Ec-
clesiarum hostes opus fuerat. Ut et sic
ab ecclesiastica pace impiorum prayitas

liter exhibeatur." — TopographiaHibemias^
Dist. 2. c. Iv.

Another specimen of this kind of in-
dignant cursing will be found in the Irish
Tale entitled, "Death of Muirchertach
Mor Mac Earca," preserved in a vellum
MS. in the Library of Trin. ColL Dub.
(H. 2. 1 6.) p. 3 1 6. It is the curse uttered
by St Caimeach of Tuilen (now Dulane,
near Kells, in the county of East Meath),
against the Royal Palace of Cletty, on the
Boyne, inhabited by Muirchertach Mor
Mac Earca, who became monarch of Ire-
land A. D. 513. The following are the
words of this curse literally translated:
" A curse be upon this hill.

Upon Cletty of beautiful hillocks.

May nor its com nor its milk be good ;

May it be full of hatred and misery;

May neither king nor chief be in it, &c."

As the king's people were afterwards at the assembly, they saw a
couple approaching them, namely, a woman and a man; larger than the
summit of a rock on a mountain was each member of their members;
sharper than* a shaving knife the edge of their shins; their heels and
hams in front of them ; should a sackful of apples be thrown on their
heads not one of them would fall to the ground, but would stick on the
points of the strong, bristly hair which grew out of their heads ;
blacker than the coal or darker than the smoke was each of their mem-
bers; whiter than snow their eyes; a lock of the lower beard was carried
round the back of the head, and a lock of the upper beard descended
so as to cover the knees; the woman had whiskers, but the man was
without whiskers. They carried a tub between them which Was full
of goose eggs. In this plight they saluted the king. " What is that?"
said the king. " It is plain," said they, " the men of Erin are making a

banquet

* Sharper than, — This mode of descrip-
tion \>j comparatives ending in cep is
very conmion in ancient Irish MSS., but
never used nor understood in the modern
Irish. This form of the comparative de-
gree comprises in it the force of a com-
parative, and that of the Conjunction
tkan^ which always follows it in English,
or of the Ablative case in Latin. Thus
j^^ipirep alcan is the same as the mo-
dem nfop 3^ipe in6 alcan, *'^ sharper than
a razor." When the Noun following this
form of the comparative degree is of the
feminine gender it always appears in the
Dative or Ablative case, as ^lirep ^^in,
whiter than the sun^ which is exactly simi-
lar to the Latin lueidior sole. Some Irish
grammarians have attempted to account for

this form, by stating that it is not pro-
perly a form of the comparative degree,
but an amalgamation, or synthetic union,
of a Noun formed from the Adjective, and
the Preposition cap beyond; so that in the
above instance j^ipicep is to be considered
an amalgamation of jeipe or jeipi (a Sub-
stantive formed from the Adjective J^ap),
sharpness^ and the Preposition cap, beyond;
and thus according to them ^eipicep alcan,
if literally translated, would be a " sharp-
ness beyondf L e. exceeding^ a r<u»r."— See
Observations on the Graelic Language, by
R. M'Elligott, published in the Transactions
of the Graelic Society of Dublin, voL L p. 36,
where, however, that very clever scholar
seems to consider this a regular compara-
tive form of Irish Adjectives.

pipu Gpenn oc ceajlumaD pleoi ouic-piu, ocup oo Bep cec peap a
cnmanj oo'n pleib pin, ocupip e ap cumang-ne ina pil pop ap muin
t>e uijib. Qm buioec De, ol m pij. 6epap ip in Dun lac, ocup oo
bepap ppoinD ceo oo biuo ocup copmaiTn ooib. Lomjio m peppcal
pin ocup ni capo nf oe oo'n banpcal. Do bepap ppomo ceo eli
ooib. Comjio oiblinib pin. Uabap biao oun, ol lac, md cd lib
h-e. Ip cubup Oun, ol Capciabach, .1. pecraipe m pij, ni cibeprep
CO coippec pipu Gpenn olcena oo'n pleio. Qpbepcaoap pum, bio
olc ouib pinne 00 romailc na pleoi ap cup, ap bio impepnai^ pipu
Gpenn impe, ap ip 00 niuinncip ippinn Oun, ocup po jnmc micel-
mame mop 00 na plojaib. Lmgic amac lapum ocup ciajaic pop
nepni.

Ro cocuipcea idpum cuiceoaij Gpenn oo'n pleiO pin, ocup a
P15U, ocup a coipig, ocup a n-oc-cijepnn, ocup a n-ampaio, ocup oep
caca oana jnacaij ocup injnachaig olcena. Ip lac po ba cuige-
oaij pop Gpmn m can pm .i. Gonial Claen, mac Scannlam, 1 piji
n-Ulao, ocup Cpimcann, mac Qeoa Cipp, i piji Laijen, ocup
TTlaelouin, mac Qeoa bennain, 1 piji TTluman, ocup a bpacaip .1.
lollann, mac Qeoa bennain, pop Depmumam, ocup Ragallac, mac

Uaoac,

" Vanished^ S^c. — This is the kind of slain in the battle of Ath Goan, five years

characters introduced into ancient Irish before the battle of Magh Rath.

stories, instead of the footpads and bandits *' A. D. 632 Bellum Atko Goan in

of modem novels. Wonder- working saints larthar Lifi iw ywo ccci</eV Cremtann mac

and horrific phantoms were, in the all- Aedo Jilii Senaich, Rex Lageniorum,^^ —

believing ages in which such tales were Ann. Uk,

written, necessary to give interest to every " A. D. 633 The battle of Ath Groan

narrative, whether the piece was fiction, in larthar Lifi, in quo cecidit Crenunthann

history, or a mixture of both. mac Aedo mac Senaigh, Rex Lageniortim :

^ Crimthann^ the son ofAedh Cirr. — This Faelan mac Colmain mic Conaill mic

is another anachronism, for, according to Suibhne, Rex MidicSy et Failbe Flann, Rex

the Annals of Ulster and Tighernach, this Momonioin victores eranV^ — Ann. Tig.

Crimthann, King of Leinster, had been ^ Maelduin, the son ofAedh Bennain, —

banquet for thee, and each brings what he can to that banquet, and
our mite is the quantity of eggs we are carrying." " I am thankful for
it," said the king. They were conducted into the palace, and a dinner
sufficient for a hundred was giyen to them of meat and ale. This the
man consumed, and did not give any part of it to the woman. Another
dinner sufficient for a hundred was given them, and the woman alone
consumed it. They demanded more, and another dinner for a hundred
was given them, and both of them together consmned it. " Give us
food," said they, " if ye have it." " By our word we shall not," said
Casciabhach, the king's Rechtaire, " till the men of Erin in general
shall come to the feast." The others then said, " Evil shall it be to
you that we have partaken of the banquet first, for the men of Erin
shall be quarrelsome at it, for we are of the people of Infemus." And
they predicted great evils to the multitudes, and afterwards rushed
out, and vanished into nothing".

After this were invited to the banquet the provincial kings of
Erin and her dynasts and chieftains, with their young lords and life-
guards, and also the professors of every science, ordinary and extra-
ordinary. These were the provincial kings of Erin at that time, viz.,
Congal Claen, the son of Scannlan, in the government of Ulster,
Crimthann, the son of Aedh Cirr'', in the government of Leinster ;
Maelduin, the son of Aedh Bennain^, in the government of Munster ;
and his brother Illann*, son of Aedh Bennan, over Desmond ; and
Eaghallach, son of Uadach'^, in the sovereignty of Connaught; and

Domhnall,

According to the Annals of Tighemach, in the year 640, and burned to death in the

the father of this Maelduin died in the year 641, on the island oflnis Cain.
year 619. He was the ancestor of the * His brother lUann. — Thislllann is not

famous family of O'Moriarty, in the county mentioned in any of the Irish Annals.
of Kerry, as mentioned in all the genealo- ^ Boffkallach Mac Uadach, King of Con-

gical Irish books. Maelduin himself was naught, was slain, according to the Annals

defeated in the battle of Cathair Cinn Con, of Tighernach, in the year 649.

Uaoac, 1 piji Connacc, ocu]** Domnall mac QeDa pepn ni aipo-piji
pop Gpinn uaipnb ]»it) uile.

Cucra lapum na floij pn uile, p^P^i macu, mna, fceo injena,
laecaib, clepcib, co m-baoap pop paicci Diiin na n-jeD oc recr Do
rocairim na pleOi Co ponca ano la Domnall, mac QeOa. Ro epij
in pij Do pepcam pailri ppip na piju, ocup apbepc pocen Duib uile,
ol pe, irip pij ocup pigain, ocup pilio ocuj» ollum. Ocu]* apbepc
ppi Conjal Claen, ppia oalca pepin, eipj, ol pe, Oo becpain na
plebi moipe pil ipm oun, ocup Oia caibbpiub, dp ac maic t)o caib-
bpiub ocup c' paipcpiu pop ndch ni ac cipirca.

Ceic, Dm, Congal ip m ceac a poibe m pleb, ocup po Decupcap
uile hi, icip biaD ocup pfn, ocup copmaim, ocup po copainD a pope
popp na h-uijib geD ac conaipc ann, ap ba h-mgnaD laip, ocup po
romail mip a h-uj Dib, ocup ibiD D15 ma DiaiD. Ocup cic amac
lap pm, ocup apbepc ppi Domnall, ba Doig lim, ol ]»e, Dia m-beDip
pipu Gpenn p]ii cpi mfpa ip m Dun, co m-biaD a n-Daichin bfD ocup
D151 inD. 6a buibec m pij De pm, ocup ceic pepin Do Deicpiu na
pleDi, ocup mnipcep Do amail po epcain Gppuc 6apc Slame m
pleD, ocup cec oen no cairpeD na h-uije Do paca uaDa pepin.
Ocup ac cf m pij na h-uiji ocup po lappacc cia po comail nf Do'n
U15 ea]*babai5 ucuc, ol pe; ap po picep-pium in ceDna po coimelaD
ni Do'n pleiD ocup pi ap na h-epcame, cumaD De cicpaD 6pmD Do
milleD, ocup a aimpeip-pium Do benum; coniD De pm po lappacc
peel a m uije ucuc. QpbepcaDap each, Congal, ol lac. Do Dalca
pepm, ip e po romail in uj. 6a bponac in pi 5 De pin, dp ni paibe
a n-Gpinn neac buD meapa laip Do comailc na pleDi ap cup md

Gonial,

■ To view the great feasts — X^o o^cpam ainc, which is the form still in common

na fleoi moipe. The verb oecpam, to use.

«fc, or view, which is now obsolete, is * The broken egg, — ^t)o'n uij eapbc6ai^

changed in Mac Morissy's copy to o'f^c- ucuc. The word eapbaoaij is supplied

Domhnall, the son of Aedh himself, in the sovereignty of Erin, over
all these.

All these hosts, men, youths, women, and damsels, laity and
clergy, were conducted to the Green of Dun na n-Gedh to partake
of the feast prepared there by Domhnall, the son of Aedh. The
monarch rose up to welcome the kings, and said, " My love to you
all both king and queen, poet and oUave ;" and he said to Congal
Claen, his own foster-son, " Go," said he, " to view* the great feast
which is in the palace, and to estimate it, for good is thy survey and
examination of whatsoever thou seest."

Then Congal entered the house in which the feast was prepared,
and viewed it all, both viands and wine, and ale, and he laid his eye
upon the goose eggs which he saw there, for he marvelled at them,
and he ate a part of one of them, and took a drink after it. He then
came out and said to Domhnall, " I think," said he, " if the men of
Erin were to remain for three months in the palace, that there is a
sufficiency of food and drink for them there." The king was thankful
for this, and went himself to take a view of the feast ; and he was
told how Bishop Ere of Slaine had cursed the feast, and every one
who should partake of the eggs which had been taken away from
him ; and the king saw the eggs, and asked who ate a part of the
broken egg* (pointing to that which Congal had broken), for he knew
that the first person^ who should partake of the banquet which had
been cursed, wo\ild be the man who would destroy Erin, and disobey
himself; wherefore he asked about this egg. All replied, " It was
Congal, thy own foster-son, that ate of the egg." The king was
sorrowful for this, for he felt more grieved that Congal should have

partaken

^m the paper copy. Ucuc is the an- obsolete, an c6ao ouine being substituted

cient form of the modem iio, L e. that, or in its place ; but it is constantly used in

yon. the ancient MSS. to denote ihe first person

** The first person, — In c^ona, is now or thing.

IBISH ARCH. 80C. 6. £

Corjal, ap pojipicep-pum a mi-ciall ocup a olc co memc ppip
poime pin. Ociip apbepr m pij lap pip, ni roimela neach ni Do'n
pleo pa, ol pe, co cuccap xii. appoal na h-6penn oia bennacat>,
ocup Dia coipea^pao, ocup ju pa cuipec a h-epcaine pop culu Oia
caempaofp.

Cucca lapuni na naeim pin uile co h-oen inao, co m-bacap
ip in oun la Domnall. Ice punn anmanna na naem Do 6eacat>ap
ann pin .i. pmOcn TTluiji bile, ocup pinDenCluana h-lpaipo, ocup
Colum Cilli, ocup Colum mac Cpinichamn, ocup Ciapan Cluana
mic noip, ocup CainDech mac h-ui Oalano, ocup Comjall 5eann-
caip, ocup bpenaino mac pinologa, ocup bpenamo bipoip, ocup
Ruaoan Cocpa, ocup Nmoio Cpaiboec, ocup TTlobi Clapamech,
ocup TTlolaipi mac Nacppoich. Ice pin xii. appoal na h-Gpenn

ocup

c The twelve aposdes^ Sfc, — In Mac Mor-
issy's copy, we read oa ©pp. oecc na
h-6ipionn, the twelve Bishops of Eriuy
which seems more correct ; but it is strange
that there are thirteen, not twelve, saints
mentioned in both copies.

^ Finnen ofMagh Bile. — This is another
gross anachronism; for Finnen of Magh Bile,
now Movilla, in the county of Down, died
in the year 576, L e. 62 years before the
Battle of Magh Rath, " A. D. 576, Quies
Finnin Magh Bile." — Ann. Inisf.y as cited
by Lanigan, vol. ii. pp. 26, 27.

* Finnen ofCluain Iraird, now Clonard,
in Meath, died in the year 552 ; so that
we cannot believe that he was present at
this banquet — See Lanigan's Ecclesiasti-
cal History of Ireland, voL iL p. 22, and
all the Irish Annals, which place his death
about this period.

^ Colum CiUe. — St Columbkille was
bom in the year 519, and died in the year
596, in the seventy-seventh year of his
age. — See Lanigan, voL iiL pp. 244, 245.

s Colum M(ic Crimihainn, was abbot of
Tir-da-glas, now Terryglass, in the barony
of Lower Ormond, in the county of Tip-
perary, and died in the same year with
St Finnen of Clonard, namely, in the year
552 Lanigan, vol. ii pp. 71, 75.

^ Ciaran ofCluain Mic Nois^ now Clon-
macnoise, on the Shannon, in the barony
of Garrycastle, and King's County, died
in the year 549. — Lanigan, voL ii. pp. 52
and 59.

' Cainnech Mac h- Ui Dalann^ the pa-
tron of Aghaboe, in the Queen's County,
died in the year 599, in the eighty-fourth
year of his age. — Lanigan, voL ii. p. 201.

i ComhghaU ofBennckar. — ^St Comgall,

partaken first of the banquet rather than any other person in Erin, for
he had often before experienced his rashness and propensity to evil.
And after this the king said, " No one else shall partake of this feast,
until the twelve apostles^ of Erin are brought to bless and consecrate
it, and avert the curse if they can."

All these saints were afterwards brought together, so that they
were in the palace with Domhnall. The following are the names
of the saints who went tliither, viz., Finiien of Magh Bile**, Finnen of
Cluain Iraird*, Colum Cille^ Golum Mac Crimhthainn*, Ciaran of
Cluain Mic Nois**, Cainnech Mac h-Ui Dalann'*, Comhghall of Benn-
char^, Brenainn, the son of Finnloga", Brenainn of Birra*, Ruadlian
of Lothra"*, Ninnidh the Pious", Mobhi Clarainech^ and Molaisi, the
son of Nadfraech**. These were the twelve apostles of Erin, and

each

patron of Bennchar, now Bangor, in the
county of Down, died on the lothof May,
A. D. 60 1. — Lanigan, vol. ii p, 63.

^ Brenainn^ the son o/Finnloga, the pa-
tron saint of the see of Clonfert, in the
county of Gralway, was born in the year
484, and died in 577, in the ninety-fourth
year of his age. — Lanigan, voL iL pp.
28, 30.

* Brenainn ofBirra. — St. Brenainn, or
Brendan, of Birra, now Birr, or Parsons-
town, in the King's County, died on the
29th of November, A. D. 571. — ^Lanigan,
vol. ii p. 39.

■° Ruadhan of Lothra.—^t, Ruadan, the
patron of Lothra, now Lorrah, in the
county of Tipperary, died on the 15th of
April, A. D. 584. — Lanigan, voL ii p.

'^ Ninnidh the Pious, the patron of the

parish of Inis Muighe Samh, now Inis-
macsaint, in the north-west of the county
of Fermanagh, was living in the year 530,
but the year of his death is uncertain*
His bell is still preserved in the museum
at Castle Caldwell, near Belleek, in the
county of Fermanagh, where the writer of

these remarks saw it in the year 1835

See Lanigan, vol. iL p. ^^^ note 173.

® Mobhi Clarainechy patron of Glas-
naidhen, now Glasnevin, near the city of
Dublin, died on the 12th of October, A. D.
545. — See Four Masters, ad ann, 544, and
Lanigan, vol. ii. p. 78.

P Molaisi, the son of Nadfraech, he was
the brother of Aengus, the first Christian
king of Mtmster, and died about the year
570. — See Lanigan's Ecclesiastical History,
voL iL p. 188.

It will have been seen from the thirteen

ocup ceo naem nmlle ppi cec naem oib. Do paca uile m lin
naem pn Do bennacao ocuf» Do coipejpaD na pleDi, ocu]* ap af ym
rpa nip pecpac a h-epcame Do cup pop ciilu, Ddij po romail
Conjal ni Do'n pleiD pepi6 po bennafjeb h-f, ocup nfp pecpac a
neim pein Do cup pop culu.

Ro puiDigeD na ploij lap pm; po puiD umoppo in pi^ ap ru]'
ip in mipcmj opDai. Ocup ip e ba bep ocup ba DligeaD acu-p um,
in can buD pig o UiB Neill m Deipcipc no biaD pop GpinD cuniaD
h-e pig Connacc no biaD pop a laim Deip; mdD 6 Uib Neill m
Cuaipcipc umoppo m piji, pig UlaD no biD pop a laim Deip, ocup
pij Connacc pop a laim cli. Ni h-amlaiD pm Do pala in anaij
pm, ace TTlaeloDap TTlaca, pig noi rpicha ceD Oipjiall, po cui-
peaD pop jualamD m pij, ocup na cuigeaoaig ap cena Do puiDiujijaD
amail po buf a n-Dan do cac. TTlop olc Do cecc De lapcam.

Ro DaileD lapum bfaD ocup Deoc popaib comDap me]K:a mebap-
caoine ; ocup cucca ug geiD pop meip aipgDiji, i piaDnaipi cec pij
ip m cij ; ocup o painic in meip ocup in ug i piaDnaipi Conjail
Claein, Do pijneb miap cpanDa Do*n meip apjaiD, ocup Do pijneb
ug cipce clum-puaiDe Do'n uij jeiD, amail po cipcanpac pdiDi 6

cein.

preceding notes, that none of these saints
could have been present at the Banquet of
Dun na n-Gredh, and that either the writer
of it was a very inaccurate historian, or
that his transcribers have corrupted his
text The entire difficulty could be got
over by substituting bishops for aposdes^
and by inserting the word comharba, L e.
representative or successor, before the
names of these saints. The probability,
however, is, that the anachronism is an
original blunder of the writer himself.

*> Golden Couch Impcinj opoai. The

word impcmj is explained in a MS. in
the Library of Trm. CoL Dublin, (H. 3.
18.) p. 212, by the modem word leabaio,
a bed or anichj which is unquestionably
its true sense in this sentence.

' Southern Hy-Niaa.— The O'Melaghlins,
now corruptly Mac Loughlins, of Meath,
were the heads of the Southern Hy-Niall
after the establishment of surnames.

• Northern ffy-NiaU. — After the esta-
blishment of surnames, the heads of the

each saint of them had one hundred saints along with him. All this
number of saints was brought to bless and consecrate the feast, but
they were not able to avert the malediction, because Congal had tasted
of the feast before it was blest, and the venom of this they were not
able to avert.

After this the hosts were seated. First of all the king sat in the
golden couch**, and the custom and law at this time was, that when
the monarch of Erin was of the Southern Hy-Niall', the king of Con-
naught sho\ild sit at his right hand ; but if of the Northern Hy-Niall',
the king of Ulster should be at his right hand, and the king of
Connaught at his left hand. It did not happen so on this night,
but Maelodhar* Macha, king of the nine cantreds of Oirghiall, was
placed at the king's right shoulder, and the provincial kings were
seated where they ought to sit. A great evil afterwards resulted
from this.

Meat and drink were afterwards distributed to them, until they
became inebriated and cheerful ; and a goose egg was brought on a
silver dish, before every king in the house ; and when the dish and
the egg were placed before Congal Claen, the silver dish was trans-
formed into a wooden one, and the goose egg into the egg of a
red-feathered hen", as prophets had foretold of old. When the Ul-

tonians'

Northern Hy-Niall race were the O'Neills
and the Mac Loughlins of Tyrone, and
the O'Muldorys, O'Canannans, and O'Don-
nells of TirconnelL

^ Madodhar Ma>eha^ king of Oirghiall.
According to the Annals of the Four
Masters, Maelodhar Macha was king of all
Oirghiall, and died in the year 636, but
the more accurate Annals of Ulster and of
Tighemach make him only chief of the

territory of Orior — " Rex Orientalium" —
and place his death, the former in 640,
and the latter in 639.

" Red-feathered hen. — This is an extra-
ordinary miracle, and the first striking
result of Bishop Erc's malediction. It
would have puzzled even Colgan to recon-
cile it with the theology of the seventeenth
century. The king had intended to offer
no insult to Congal, but the curse of St.

cein. Oc conncaoap UlaiD pn, nip maty leo ]^uiDe na longao
ocup in ofmiab pn po imoij p^P « V^B •'• F^P Conjal Claen. Ro
epi5 oin jilla jpaoa Do muinncip Conjail j. 5^'P 'S^^^^ iriac
Souajain, ocup apbepc: nf pii pen mair Duir a nocc, a Congail,
ol pe, ac mopa na h-aicipi oo paoac pope a rig m pig anocc .1.
TTlaelooap TTlaca, pij Oipgiall, Do cup ip in mao po pa ou Duic-piu,
ocup U5 geoiD pop meip apgaiD i piaonaipi cec pig ip in rij ace
rupa ir aenap, ocup uj cipce pop meip cpanca i c* piaDnai]'i-piu.
Ni capo Gonial t>ia a^pe cumao oimiao 06 cec nf po jebao a
C15 a ame caipipi pepm. 5"P P^ ^^V^t ^^ 5'^^^ ^-^T ^^ airepc
5-ceDna 00 pioipi .1. '^ci]]\ '^QWD^ ocup apbepc in ceona ppi Congal,
uc Dixie.

In cuiD pin caicipe a nocc,

cen uabap, cen imapnocc,

U5 cipce o^i pij ncippac cap,

ip uj jeoiD DO niaeloDap.
Noca n-picep mipi piam,

cumaD uapal pij Oipjiall,

no CO paca m TTlaeloDap,

a C15 oil '50 piaDujaD.
Oa m-beic aj oen pi^ cen ail,

Cenel Conaill ip Gojam,

T Oipjialla ppi gnim n-ga,

nip Dulca Do a c* inaD-pa.

Ere produced a confusion at the banquet, curse, it is to be likened to a wedge with

and caused a miracle to be wrought which which a woodman is cleaving a piece of

offered an indignity to Congal, directly wood: if it has room to yo, it will ^.

contrary to what the king had intended, and cleave the wood ; but if it has not, it

Accordmg to the present notions among will fly out and strike the woodman him-

the native Irish about the nature of a self who is driving it, between the eyes.

tonians had perceived this, they did not think it honourable to sit or
eat after their king, Congal Claen, had met such an indignity. After
this, a servant of trust of CongaVs pQople, Grair Gann Mac Stuagain''
by name, rose and said : " It is not an omen of good luck to thee
this night, O Congal, that these great insults have been offered thee
in the house of the king; namely, that Maelodhar Macha, king of Oir-
ghiall, should be seated in the place due to thee, and that a goose egg
is placed on a sUver dish before every king in the house except thee
alone, before whom a hen egg is placed on a wooden dish." But
Congal did not consider that any thing which he received in the
house of his own good foster-father could be an indignity to him, until
the same servant rose again and repeated the same suggestion to him,
ut dixit:

" That meal thou hast taken to-night

Is without pride, without honour ;

A hen egg from the king who loves thee not.

And a goose egg to Maelodhar.
I never had known

The noble position of the king of Oirghiall,

Until I beheld Maelodhar,

Being honoured at the banqueting house.
Should one king possess, without dispute,

The race of Conall and Eoghan,

And the OirghiaUa'' with deeds of spears,

He would not occupy thy place.

This

In the case under consideration St. Erc's not recorded in the Irish Annals, nor

curse was, — as the writer of the story mentioned in any of the genealogical ta-

wishes us to believe, — deserved, and, there- bles relating to the Clanna Rudhraighe, so

fore, it operated as the saint had intended, that we cannot determine whether he is a

^ Crair Gann Mae Stua^ain, — The name real or fictitious character,
of this servant or minister of Congal is ^ OirgkiaUa, — The territories of the

In cult) ]*in 50 o-ceilgicc jaill,
cucao ouic a C15 Domnaill,

ap 5^^r 5^^^^' ^^^V ^^ r^^^ ouic,
md oa coimli cu in opoch-cuio. In. c.

Ro ling napacc ocup nii|ie menman a Conjal ppi h-airepc m
oclaij pin, ocup po Im^ m puip oemnacoa .1. Uepipone, a cum-
5ai]'e a cpioe, 00 cuimniu^ab ceca opoch-comaipli 06. Ro epij
om ina peapam, ocup po ^ab a ^aipceao pnip, ocup po epi^ a bpur
unlet) ocup a en jaile po polumam uapa, ocup ni capac aicne pop
capaic na pop nerh-capaic m can pin, amail po pa t>ual t)6 6 n-a
pean-araip .1. o Conall Cepnac, mac Qmaipjin. Ro Im^ mpuni 1
piaonaipi m pi^, ocup 00 pala cuici Cap Ciabach, peccaipe in pij,
Ocup ni picep Cap Ciabac cumat) he Conjal no beic ann, ocup
po paio ppip pume a n-irao oile, ocup po 5ebao biat) ocup 015
arhail puapacap each. Oc cuala umoppa Conjal an aicepc pm,
00 pat) beim t)o Chap-Chiabac, co n-t)epna of leic oe 1 piat)naipi
caich. Ocup ba h-uaman la cec n-oen ip m C15, ocup lap in pij
pepin Conjal ann pin, o po aipigpec pep^ paip. Ocup apbepc
Conjal, nap bac uamnac, a pij, ap ci6 ar mopa na h-uilc 00 ponaip
ppim, ni h-uarhun t)uir mipi co leic; ocup acbeppa a nopa piao

each

Kinel Connell and Kinel Owen had been
wrested from the ancient Ultonians, or
Clanna Rudhraighe, in the fifth century.
His servant here tells Congal, nominal
king of Ulster, that if he had full posses-
sion of all the province of his ancestors,
king Domhnall would take care to have
him seated in his legitimate place at the
banquet. Congal's territory did not ex-
tend beyond the limits of the present
counties of Down and Antrim. The Oir-

ghialla, or descendants of the three Collas,
who destroyed the Ultonian Palace of
Emania in the year 332, had possession of
the district comprising the present coun-
ties of Louth, Armagh, Monaghan, and
Fermanagh ; and the races of Conall and
Eoghan, the sons of the monarch Niall,
had possession of the remaining part of
the province, that is, the counties of Ty-
rone, Derry, and Donegal

* Tesipkone, — From this it would ap-

This meal may foreigners reject

Given thee in the house of Domhnall,
Saith Gair Gann, may it not be safe to thee,
If thou partake of the evil meal."

Fury and madness of mind were excited in Congal by the exhor-
tation of this youth, and the demon fury, Tesiphone*, entered the cavity
of his heart to suggest every evil counsel to him. He then stood up,
assumed his bravery, his heroic fury rose, and his bird of valour^ flut-
tered over him, and he distinguished not friend from foe at that time,
as was natural for him as a descendant of his ancestor Conall Cear-
nach*, the son of Amergin. He afterwards rushed into the presence
of the king, but Gas Ciabhach*, the king's Rechtaire, came up to him,
not knowing it was Congal who was there, and told him to sit in
another place, and that he would get food and drink as well as the
rest. But when Congal heard this, he dealt Cas Ciabhach a blow,
and divided him in two parts in the presence of all. Then every
one in the house, even the king himself, was in dread of Congal,
when they perceived anger upon him. But Congal said, " Be not
afraid, O king, for although the injuries thou hast done me are
great, thou needest not dread me now ; and I will now state before
all the injuries thou hast done to me. The king who preceded thee

over

pear that the writer of this story had some in note C, at the end of the volume,

acquaintance with the classical writers. * C<u Ciabhach signifies of the curled

y Bird of valour, — ^To what does this hair. No mention is made of him in the

allude? Irish Annals or pedigrees, and it is pro-

* Conall Cearnach, — ^He was one of the bable that he is a fictitious character,
heroes of the Red Branch, and is the an- Rechtaire generally signifies, in the an-
cestor of O'More, O'Lawler, and the seven cient Irish language, a lawgiver, a steward
tribes of Leix, in the Queen^s County, and or chief manager of the affairs of a prince
many other families in various parts of Ire- or king, but in the modem Irish it is used
land. CongaPs descent from him is given to denote a rich farmer^

IRISH ABCIL SOC. 6. F

each na h-ulcu do ponaip ppim. Ip c ba pij pop Gpinn pemuc-pa
Suibne TTlcnn, mac piacna, mic peapaoai^, mic Tnuipeooi^, mic
Gojain, mic Ncill Ncn-^ialloij. Nip bo piapac cupa oo'n pi^ pm
lapumi ocup Do DecaDaip Do Denam copu ppi h-UUcu, ocup Do
paDaD mipi pop alrpom Duic om' araip ocu]* om' cencl ap cena ;
ocup Do paDaD mnai Dom' cenel pepin lim Dom' aileamam ojuc-pa,
ocup o DO piaccaipiu do rcac po cuipip m mnai n-Ulcai^ Dia np
pcin, ocup po cuipip ben doc' cenel pcpm Dom' alcpam-pa i lub-
jopc m lip 1 pabaDaip babem. Do pala laa n-anD mipi am oenap
ip in lub^opr cen neac o^um coimeD, ocup po ep^iDap beachu beca
in lubsuipc la reap na 5p^"^' ^^ rapD beach Dib a neim pop mo
ler-popc-pa, jupa claen mo puil. Conjal Claen mo ainm ap pm.
Rom aileaD lac-pu lap pm jupa h-mDapba cupa o pi^ Gpenn, o
Suibiie TTIenD, mac piacna, mic pepaDai^, ocup Do DeacaDaip
CO pij n-Qlban, ocu]» mipi lac popp in inDapba pm; ocup po puapaip
SpaDu^aD mop aici, ocup do ponpabaip coDac .1. cupa ocup pij
(llban, ocup po cappnjaip Duic note cicpaD a c'abaij cen bep muip
im Gpmn. Dobecaoaip lapum do cum n-Gpenn ocup do Dcacupa
lac (uaip babup pop inDapba malle ppic). Ro jabpum pope a
Cpaij RuDpaije, ocup po jnipium comaipli ppi h-acaib m-bic ann.

Ocup

^ Suibhne.^Smh}me, sumamed Menn,
was monarch of Ireland from the year 615
to 628, when he was shiin at Traigh Brena
by Congal Claen, as stated in this story.

* Nine Hostages, — This pedigree of
Huibhne agrees with that given by Keating,
and all authentic genealogical books.

<* Garden of the fart. — The Irish kings
and chieftains lived at this period in the
great earthen raths or liesee^ the ruins of
which are still so numerous in Ireland.

Ledwich asserts that these forts were built
by the Ostmen or Danes, but the remains
of them still to be seen at Tara, Taillteann,
Emania, Aileach, Rath-Croghan, AiUinn,
Dinn-Righ, KnockgrafTon, and other well
known palaces of the ancient Irish kings,
are sufficient to prove that they had been
built by the ancient Irish long before the
Danes made any descent upon this island.
* Beee qf the garden,^^mwA says that
there were no bees in Ireland; and it is

over Erin was Suibhne Menn**, son of Fiachna, son of Feradhach, son
of Muiredhach, son of Eoghan, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages*" ;
thou wert not obedient to that king, and thou didst go to make a
treaty with the Ultonians, and I was given in fosterage to thee by
my father and my own tribe ; a woman of my own tribe was sent
with me to nurse me with thee, but when she reached thy house
thou didst send the Ultonian woman back to her own coimtry,
and thou didst place a woman of thine own tribe to nurse me in
the garden of the fort** in which thou dwelledst. It happened on
a certain day that I was left alone in the garden without any one
to take care of me, and the little bees of the garden' rose up with
the heat of the sun, and one of them put its venom in one of my
eyes, so that my eye became awry, from which I have been named
Congal Claen^. I was nursed by thee until thou wast expelled by
the king of Erin, Suibhne Menu, son of Fiacha, son of Feradhach,
and then thou didst repair to the king of Alba, taking me along
with thee in that exile ; and thou didst receive great honour from
him, and you formed a treaty, thou and the king of Alba, and he
protested to thee that he would not oppose thee as long as the sea
should surround Erin. Thou didst afterwards return to Erin, and I
returned along with thee, for I was in exile along with thee. We
put into port at Traigh Rudhraighe*^, and here we held a short con-
sultation.

mentioned in the Life of St. Modomnoc ^ Claen, — claon or claen,*^ L e. crooked

of Lann Beachaire, now Killbarrick, in or tDry, and also partial, prejudiced. The

Fingfd, near the city of Dublin, published word is still used, but usually in the latter

by Colgan, in his Acta, SS. 13. Febr., that sense. — ^See Note ^, p. 37.
bees were first introduced into Ireland s Traigh Rudhraighe. — Traigh Rudh-

from Menevia by that saint ; but Lanigan raighe was the ancient name of the strand

has proved that there were bees in Ireland at the mouth of the River £me, near

long before the period of St. Modomnoc — Ballyshannon, in the county of Donegal*-^

See his Eccles. Hist, vol iL pp. 320, 321. See Leabhar Gabhala of the O'Clerys.

Ocup ip e po paioipu, cipeao neac pogebra oo raipcelao pop pig
Gpenn, cipe can buo pij cupa pop 6pinn comao eicean a Oucaig
oo lejuo oo'n cf no pajao ann. Oo ocacupa om ann, a pig, ap mo
oucaij oo cabaipc oam co h-implan in can buo pig pop 6pinn
cupa ; ocup ni po aipipiup co h-Qilec Ncic, ap ip ann bui oom-
ndp m pi5 m can pm. Cic m pij popp m paicci, ocup oal mop imc
oo pepaib 6penn, ocup pe oc imbipc piocille icip na ploju. Ocup
cia^pu ip m oailcen ceaou^ao oo neac, cpiap na plojaib, co cap-
oup popjum oo'n jai, S^^PP Con^ail, bui im laim a n-ucc m pi^,
jupa ppeajaip in coipci cloiche bui ppia opuim alia ciap, ocup 50
poibe cpu a cpioe pop pino in jai, co m-ba mapb oe. In can lapum
po bui an pij oc blaipecc bdi]» 00 pao upcup oo'n pip piocilli bui
na laim oam-pa, jupa bpip in puil claein bui am cino-pa. dm
claen peme, am caech lapum. Xio ceicpec om ploij ocup mumn-
cip in pij, dp ba 0615 leo cupa ocup pip Olpan 00 beic imum-pa, o
po mapbup in pi^, Suibne TTleno.

Oo oeacapa pop 00 cenn-pa lapum, ocup po ^abaip piji n-6penn

lap

** Ailech Neid^ — now Elagh, near Deny, a MS. of the twelftli century, now in the

in the county of Donegal The ruins of collection of Messrs. Hodges and Smith

the palace of Giianan Ailigh are still to of Dublin, will give one an idea of what

be seen on a hill over Lough S willy the Irish writers meant by pmcellor pir-

See Ordnance Survey of the Parish of cell.

Templemore, County Londonderry. '*' Wliat is thy name?' said Eochaidh.

> Chess, — piDcell certainly means chess, ' It is not illustrious,' replied the other,

which was a favourite game among the * Midir of Brigh Leth.' ' Why hast thou

ancient Irish. piDcell is translated to&u- come hither?' said Eochaidh. 'To play

Ice lus&riw by O'Flaherty, in his Ogygia, Pitkchell with thee,' replied he. ' Art

p. 311; and it is described in Cormac's thou good at FithckeUV said Eochaidh.

Glossary as a quadrangular board with * Let us have the proof of it,' replied

straight spots of black and white. The Midir. ' The queen,' said Eochaidh, * is

following extract froni an ancient Irish asleep, and the house in which the Ftih"

story, preserved in Leabhar na h-Uidhre^ chell is belongs to her.' 'There is here,'

'^^^•'^'^'^'^^^'^'^^^^^^^a^^^^mt^mm^^mK^^m^m^a^m^^mm^mmmam^f^Wf

sultation. And what thou didst say was, that whoever thou shouldst
get to betray the king of Erin, thou wouldst be bound to restore
his territory to him whenever thou shouldst become king over Erin.
I went on the enterprise, O king, for a promise that my patrimony
should be wholly restored to me, whenever thou shouldst become mo-
narch of Erin; and I delayed not until I reached Ailech Neid^, where
the king held his residence at that time. The king came out upon
the green, surrounded by a great concourse of the men of Erin, and he
was playing chess* amidst the hosts. And I came into the assembly,
passing without the permission of any one through the crowds, and
made a thrust of my spear, Grearr CongaiP, which I held in my hand,
at the breast of the king, and the stone which was at his back re-
sponded to the thrust, and his heart's blood was on the head of the
javelin, so that he fell dead. But as the king was tasting of death he
flung a chess-man which was in his hand at me, so that he broke the
crooked eye in my head. I was squint-eyed before, I have been
blind-eyed since*". The hosts and people of the king then fled, think-
ing that thou and the men of Alba were with me, as I had killed
Suibhne Menn, the king.

" I then returned to thee, and thou didst, after this, assume the

sovereignty

said Midir, ' a no worse FUhchelL' This J Crearr Congaily — L e. the short spear

was true indeed : it was a board of silver of CongaL Many weapons, utensils, &c.,

and pure gold, and every compartment on which belonged to distinguished personages

the board studded with precious stones; were called after them : the crozier of St

and a man-bag of woven brass wire. Mw Barry of Slieve Bawn, in the county of

dir then arranges the FitchelL. ^Play,' Roscommon, still preserved, is called Gearr-

said Midir; ' I will not, but for a wager,' Barry.

said £ochaidL ' What wager shall we ^ Blind-eyed since. — This accounts for
stake?' said Midir. * I care not what,' the double surname given to Congal in
said Eochaidh. * I shall have for thee,' the Annals of the Four Masters, in which
said Midir, ^ fifty dark-green steeds if thou he is called Congal Caeeh [blind], or Con-
win the game.' " gal Cla<m [squinting].

lap ym. ITlapb oin m* araip-p i lap pm .i. Scannal Sciac-leran, ocup
nojpa cujuc-pa oom' pijat), amail po jellaip ppim. Ni po com-
aillip a ni pm ace mao bee, Octij po benaip ofm Cenel CoiiaiU
ocup Gojjam, ocup noi D-cpioca ceo Oipgiall .i. peapano TTlaelui-
oip TTlaca, pil pop Do jualamo-piu, ocupoo paoaip h-ea n-inao pij
pomum-pa a nocc ac C15 pe]»in, a pi^, ol pe. Ocup 00 paoao ug
jeoib pop meip aip^oi^ ma piaonaipi, ocup uj cipce pop mcip
cpanoa oam-pa. Ocup to biuppa cac ouic-pin mo, ocup 00 pepaib
6penn, ma\i acac imuc a nocc, ap Conjal. Ocup po imcij uaioib
amac lapum, ocup po lenpac Ulaio h-e.

Qpbepc Domnall ppi naemu Gpenn baoap ip m C15 : leanam
Conjal, ol pe, ocup ciccab lib, co capoappa a peip pein 06. Cia-
jaic na naeirh ma biaib ocup po jcllpac a eapcame mmc ciccao
leo, ocup a cluic ocup a m-bacla 00 bem paip. Do biuppa pam
^^aipcet), ap Gonial, nac pia cleipcc uaib ma bcchaio ceac m pij,
01a n-epcaincea mipi na Ullcac cli pop bic lib. Ro jab om omun
na naeim, co n-oeacaio Gonial 1 cem uaioib, ocup po epcampec h-e
ap a h-airle. Ocup po epcampec oin in rf Suibne, mac Golmain
Ghuaip, mic Gobraig, pig Dal n-QpaiOe, ap ip e puc uaiOib 50
h-aimbeonac in c-map iloacac 00 pao Domnall 1 laim [panctrup]

Ronam

' Died soon after, — Scannall of the
Broad Shield, king of Ulidia, is mentioned
in the authentic annals as the father of
Congal, but the year of his death is not
mentioned.

°* OirghiaU — The princes of the Clanna
Rudhraighe race had not been kings of
all Ulster since the year 332 or 333, when
they were conquered by the three Collas,
as already noticed. It is probable, how-
ever, that when Congal undertook to kill

Suibhne Menn, at the instigation of king
Domhnall, he got a promise of being made
prince of all Ulster, a title which his
ancestors had enjoyed for many centuries.
See his pedigree, and the number of his
ancestors who had been kings of Ulster,
in Note C, at the end of the volume.

" See note *, p. 29.

^ BdU and eroziers.-^The ancient Irish
saints were accustomed to curse the offend-
ing chieftains while sounding their bells

sovereignty of Erin. My father, Scannall of the Broad Shield, died
soon after*, and I came to thee to be made king [of Ulster], as thou
hadst promised me. Thou didst not perform thy promise except to a
small extent, for thou didst deprive me of Cinel Conaill and Cinel
Eoghain, and also of the nine cantreds of Oirghiall"*, the land of
Maelodhar Macha", who now sits at thy shoulder, and whom thou
hast seated in the place of a king, in preference to me, this night, in
thine own house, O king," said he. " And a goose egg was placed be-
fore him on a silver dish, while a hen egg was plax^ed on a wooden
dish before me. And I will give battle to thee and the men of Erin
in consequence, as thou hast them assembled aroimd thee to-night,"
said Congal. And he then went out of the house, and the Ultonians
followed him.

Domhnall said to the saints of Erin who were in the house, " Follow
Congal," said he, ** and bring him back, that his own award may be
given him by me." The saints went after him and threatened to curse
him with their bells and croziers", unless he would return with them.
" I swear by my valour," said Congal, " that not one cleric"" of you
shall reach the king's house alive, if I, or any Ultonian, be cursed by
you." Terror then seized the saints, whereupon Congal went far away
from them, and they cursed him afterwards. And they also cursed
Suibhne**, the son of Colman Cuar, son of Cobhthach, king of Dal
Araidhe', for it was he that had carried away from them by force the
many-coloured tunic which [king] Domhnall had given into the hand

with the tops of their croziers. king of Dal Araidhe, is not mentioned in

P Cleric, — The word cUipec, a deric or the Irish Annals, though he seems to be

derib, which is derived from the Latin word a historical character.

derieiUy is iised throughout this story to ^ Dal Araidhe, a celebrated territory in

denote a priest Ulster, comprising the entire of the pre-

^ Suibhne, the son of Colman Cuar, sent county of Down and that part of

Ponain pmo, mic bcpaij, oia rabaipc Do Conjal; ocup 6 p6
Fcmig Gonial m c-map pm, do bepc Smbne a laim in clepij om
ainoeoin map in pij. Conio oo'n cpcame pin oo ponpac pop Gonial
po paibeD punn:

Conjal Claen

m jaip cucpumap nip pacm,

cecpap ap picic, ni bpej,

impioe ceo leip ccc naem.
In mac pot),

pop a cucpam m jaip cloj;

nocap Dulca do 'p m car,

ciD peme Do beic par bo5.
TTlop in p6,

jemaD nairi, ^emaD lia,

in pep, 5a m-bf cccca pig,

ip leip CO pfp cunjnap Dia.
TTlop m col,

comann ppi pi^ Daipe Dpol,

pepann Do cabaipc 'n a laim,

ip e m cnam a m-bel na con.

Qpbepc Domnall lap pin ppi pileDu Gpenn coiDecc 1 n-DiaiD
Conjail Dia papcuD. Ciajaic cpa na piliD ma DiaiD : ac ci
Gonial na piliDu cuici, ocup apbepc, po cailleD emeac UlaD co
bpac, ol pc, uaip ni rapDpam mnmup Do na pileDaib ip m C15 n-oil,
ocup a cdc aj cocc anopa Diap n-jpfpaD m ap n-DiaiD. Uicic na
piliD CO h-aipm a m-bui Gonial, ocup pepaiD pium pailci ppiu,

ocup

Antrim l3ring south of the monntam Sliabh abbot of Druim Ineasclaiim, in the territory

Mis, now Slemmish. of ConaiUe Muirtheimhne, now Anglicised

'/9f.Ji(manjFVnn,the8onof Berach, was Drumiskin, in the coimty of Louth, not

of St. Ronan Finn*, the son of Berach, to be presented to Congal; but
as Congal had refused to accept of the king's tunic, Suibhne took it
from the cleric's hand in despite of him. It was on. this curse, which
they pronounced on Congal, that the following lines were composed:

Congal Claen

Heeded not the curse we gave,

Four and twenty saints we were — ^no falsehood.

Each saint having the intercessory influence of a hundred.
The daring son,

Against whom we raised the voice of bells.

Should not to the battle go.

Though soft prosperity were before him.
Great the happiness,

That, whether few or many he his hosts.

The man who has the regal right

Him truly God will aid.
Great the profaneness.

To contend with the king of noble Daire ;

To give land into his [CongaVs] hand ,

Is to give a bone into the dog's mouth. -

After this Domhnall desired the poets of Erin to go after Congal
to stop him. The poets set out after Congal : Congal perceived the
poets coming towards him, and exclaimed, " The mimificent character
of Ulster is tarnished for ever, for we gave the poets no presents at
the banqueting hou8e\ and they are following us to upbraid us." The
poets came on to where Congal was, and he bade them welcome, and

gave

Drumshallon, as Lanigan thinks. He died ^Banqueting houte. — A king always
in tlie year 664.~-See Colgan, Acta SS, considered it his duty to give presents to
p. 141, and Lanigan, yoL iii p. 52. poets at public banquets and assemblies.

IBI8H ABCH. SOC. 6. G

ocup 00 bepr mafne inopa Ooib, ocup inoif ic a pc6la 06. Qcbepc
pum na ^ebac coma pop bic 6' n pij ace cac 1 n-oijail a onuiaba
ocup a caponopa; ocup po eirhi^ ool leo. pajbup na piliD ap a
h-aicle, ocup ciomnaip celeabpab ooib, ocup cem poirhe ip in cui^eD
50 paini5 50 reac Ceallaij, mic piacna pinn .1. bparaip arap
Conjail, ocup innipit) a j^cela Do o cup co oeipeaO. ba peanoip cian-
ao]'i)a an cf Celiac; ocup ni clumeat) ace mao bee, ocup ni ceim-
ni5eD pop a copaib, ocup C0I5 cpeouma im a leapaio, ocup peipium
innci 00 5pep. ba laec ampa h-e 1 copac a aipi. Cein bui Gonial
oc mnipi peel 00, po nocc pum a cloioem po bui laip pa coim cen
pip DO neoc jop cpicnui^ Conjal a compaD, ocup apbepc, Do biuppa
bpecip, Dia n-jabca coma pop bich o'n pij ace caeh, ndc peDpaDip
UlaiD h' eaDpam popm-pa, co clanDainD m cloiDem pa epic cpiDe
peccaip; uaip ni bep D* Ulleaib coma do ^abail ppi pomD caea no
CO n-Diglaie a n-anpolea. Ocup a ede pece macu maici ocum-i'a
ocup pajaic lae ip m cae, ocup Dia caempamD-pi pein Dula ann, no
pajainD, ocup ni moiDpeD pop Ullcaib cen no beinD-pi im beacaiD.
Ocup aebepe ann :

Q mic, na jeb-pi cen car,

ciD pfD lappup pij Cempac;

maD pomuc paib, pepp Do 5mm,

mao pope, Do pace Do comlin.
Na jeib peoDu na mafne,

ace maD cmDu Dej-Daine,

CO na euca pij ele,

cap ap clanDaib RuDpaije.

Cuja

^ CeOaeh, the son ofFiaehna See Note bed^ hy P. Connell, in his MS. Dictionary.

C, at the end of the volume, where the * The race of Budhraighe^ the ancient

pedigree of Congal is given. Ultonians, of whom a long line of kings

▼ Tolg, — ^Col^ is explained leabcno, a had dwelt at Emania, were at this period

gave them great presents, and they told him their embassy. He
replied, that he would receive no condition from the king but a
battle, in which to take revenge for the indignity and dishonour
offered him ; and he refused to return with them. He then left the
poets, and bade them farewell, and proceeded on his way through the
province imtil he arrived at the house of Cellach, the son of Fiachna",
his own father's brother, to whom he related the news from begin-
ning to end. Cellach was an extremely aged senior ; he heard but
a little ; he did not walk on his feet, but had a brazen tolg'' as his
bed, in which he always remained; but he had been a renowned
hero in the early part of his Ufe. While Congal was telling him the
news, he exposed his sword, which he held concealed under his
garment unknown to all until Congal had finished his discourse, and
said, " I pledge thee my word, that shouldest thou receive any consi-
derations from the king but a battle, all the Ultonians could not save
thee from me, because I would thrust this sword through thy heart ;
for it is not the custom of the Ultonians to accept of considerations
in place of battie until they take revenge for insults. I have seven
good sons, and they shall go with thee into the battie, and if I were
able myself I would go also, and the Ultonians should not be defeated
while I had Ufe. And he said on tiie occasion :

" My son, be not content without a battle,

Though Tara's king should sue for peace ;

If thou conquer, the better thy deed,

If thou be defeated, thou shalt slay an equal number.

Accept not of jewels or goods.

Except tiie heads of good men.

So that no other king may offer

Insult to tiie race of Rudhraighe''.

Less

scattered over various parts of Ireland, as part of them who remained ia their origi<-
in Kerry, Corcomroe, Leiz, &&, and that nal province, were shut up within the

Cuja pdch Scannail na pciar,
oa cue cac ip Cuan Cliac,
Dap cuip ceanD Guam ap duo,
cpe no pdo jup cpin Scannul.

piy a n-oeabaij mo p ecc mac,
o nac peoaim-pi oul lac,
Da m-beDip cinol buD mo,
Do pngoaip ac pocpaioeo.

Cec cac mop cue h' acaip piam,
peacnon Gpenn, caip ip ciap,
mipi DO bib pop a Deip,
mic mo oepbpacap Dilip !

In cac mop cue h' acaip caip,
D'd cue ap pop Ppangcacaib,
pe pij pa-jlan na Ppanjc,
cuij nac ap peabpab mac, a mic.

a mic.

Qpbepc umoppo m penoip ppip, eip5 m Qlbam, ol pc, do paijin
DO pen-acap, .1. Gochaioh buioe, mac Qeoam, mic ^abpaiii, ip e ip
pij pop Qlbam; ap ip mgen 06 Do macaip, ocup mjcn pij bpccan,
.1. GochaiD Qinjcep, ben pij Qlban, Do pen-macaip, .1. macaip Do
macap; ocup cabaip lac pipu Qlban ocup bpecan ap m n-jael pm
Do cum n-Gpenn Do cabaipc caca Do'n pij.

present counties of Down and Antrim.
Lough Neagh and the Lower Bann sepa-
rated them from the Kinel-Owen, and the
celebrated trench called the Danes' Cast,
formed the boundary between them and
the Oirghialla.

* Kin^ 0/ France. — There is no autho-
rity for this to be found in the authentic
Irish Annals, and it must therefore be re-

garded as poetic fiction.

' Ehckaidh Buidhe, king of Scotland. —
This king is mentioned by Adamnan in the
ninth chapter of the first book of his Life
of Columba, where he calls him " Eoch-
odius Buidhe.'' His death is set down in
the Annals of Ulster, at the year 628.
*' Mors Echdach Buidhe M^is Pietorwn^
fiUi Aedain. Sic in Lihro Ctw,nac inveni,^^

Less cause had Scannal of the Shields,

When he and Cnan of Cliach fought a battle,

When he fixed Cnan's head upon a wall,

Because he had said that Scannal had withered.
Send for my seven sons.

As I myself cannot go with thee ;

Were they a greater number

They should join thy army.
In every great battle which thy father ever fought

Throughout Erin, east and west,

I was at his right hand,

O son of my loyal brother !
And in that great battle thy father fought in the east,

(In which he slaughtered the Franks,)

Against the very splendid king of France* ;

Understand that this was no boyish play, my son !

My son," &c.

The old man also said, " Go to Alba," said he, " to thy grand-
father Eochaidh Buidhe^, the son of Aedhan, son of Gabhran, who
is king of Alba ; thy mother is his daughter, and thy grandmother,
that is, thy mother's mother, the wife of the king of Alba, is the
daughter of the king of Britain, that is, of Eochaidh Aingces* ; and
through this relationship bring with thee the men of Alba and Britain

to Erin, to give battle to the king."

Congal

Jf this date be correct, which it most writer of the story, not knowing who was

likely is, this is another anachronism by king of Britain, i. e. of Wales, at this pe-

the writer of the story. riod, was under the necessity of coining a

* Eochaidh Aingces^ king of Britain. — name to answer his purpose ; unless we

No such king is to be found in the histo- suppose our extant sources of Welsh his-

ries of Britain; and he must therefore be tory to be defective,
regarded as a fictitious personage. The

ba buioec lapum m ci Conjal Do'n corhaiple ym; ocuf reic i
n-Qlpain ceo laec a Ifn, ocup m po aipif pop muip na cip co piacc
CO D6n monaiD, aic a m-bui pij Qlban, .1. Gochaio buiDe, ocup
main Qlban in ocn oail ime ant). Do pala oin Do Gonial alla-
muig oo'n oail, cicep ocup piliD m pij .i. Duboiao Dpai a ainm-
pioc ; ba pipis ocup ba Dpai ampa m ci DuboiaO; ocup po pep
pailci ppi Gonial, ocup po lappacc pcela d6, ocup po mmpGonjal
a pcela. Gonio ann apbepc DuboiaO, ocup ppejpap Gonial he:

Ip mo cen in lomgiup leip,

DO connapc a h-ecepccm;

can bap cenel, clu cen ail,

ca cip ap a cancabaip?
Cancamap a h-Gpmn am,

d oclaij uallai^, mmaip,

ip DO cancamup ille

d' acallaim Gachach 6ui6e.

TTla

* Dun Monaidh, — A place in Scotland, scription of the Irnlxufor Otnck^ as given in

where the kings of the Dalriedic or Ibemo- Cormac's Glossary, will show that it was a

Scotic race resided. It is now called Dun- humbug not unlike the Magnetic sleep of

stafinage, and is situated in Lome. — See modem dreamers. ^-^-hnbcaforOvna. — The

Gough's Camden, yoL It. p. i 29. poet discovers through it whatever he likes

^ Druid, — In the times of Paganism in or desires to reveaL This is the way it is

Ireland every poet was supposed to possess done : the poet chews a piece of the flesh of

the gift of prophecy, or rather to possess a red pig, or of a dog or cat, and he brings it

a spirit capable of being rendered prophe- afterwards on a flag behind the door, and

tic by a certain process. Whenever he was chants an incantation upon it, and offers it

desired to deliver a prophecy regarding to idol gods; and his idol gods are brought

future events, or to ascertain the truth of to him, but he finds them not on the morrow,

past events, he threw himself into a rhap- And he pronounces incantations on his

6ody called Irnb<u/or09n€^ or TeintnLoepk'- two palms; and his idol gods are also

(Mo, during which the true images of these brought to him, in order that his sleep

events were believed to have been por- may not be interrupted; and he lays his

trayed before his mind. The following de- two palms on his two cheeks, and thus

Congal was thankful ; he set out for Alba with one hundred he-
roes, and made no delay upon sea or land, till he arrived at Dun
Monaidh', where Eochaidh Buidhe, king of Alba, was with the nobles
of Alba assembled around him. Congal met, outside the assembly,
the king's sage and poet, Dubhdiadh, the Druid, by name, who was a
seer and distinguished Druid** ; he bade Congal welcome, and asked
news of him, and Congal related all the news to him. And Dubh^
diadh said, and Congal replied:

Dvhhdiadh, — " My affection is the bright fleet

Which I have espied at a great distance ;
Declare your race of stainless fame.
And what the country whence ye came."
Congal — " We have come from noble Erin,

proud and noble youth,
And we have come hither
To address Eochaidh Buidhe."

Duhhdiadh.

falls asleep ; and he is watched m order
that no one may disturb or interrupt
him, until every thing about which he is
engaged is revealed to him, which may be
a minute, or two, or three, or as long as
the ceremony requires : et ideo Imbas did'
tuvy i. e. di bais ime, L e. his two palms
upon him, L e. one palm over and the other
across on his cheeks. St Patrick abolished
this, and the Teinm Loeghdha^ and he de-
clared that whoever should practise them
would enjoy neither heaven nor earth, be-
cause it was renouncing baptism. Dieke-
dul do ehenduibh is what he left as a sub-
Btitate for it in the Cortu Cerda [the Law
of Poetry], and this is a proper substitute.

for the latter requires no offering to de-
mons."

These practices, about which so little
has been said by Irish antiquaries, must
look extraordinary to the philosophic in-
habitants of the British Isles in the nine-
teenth century. But it is highly probable
that some of the more visionary Germans
will think them quite consonant with the
nature of the human soul ; for in the year
1835, a book was published at Leipsic,
by A. Steinbeck, entitled '* Every Poet
a Prophet; a Treatise on the Euentiai
Connection between the Poetic Spirit
and the Property of Magnetic Lucid Vi-

SlOOi

ITla peab cancabaip ille,

o' acallaim Gachach buiDe,

ap coioecc Oib uap cec lep,

a Oepim pib ip mo cen. Ip nio c.

Oo caeo Conjal ip in Oail a paibe pij Qlpan lap ]^in, ocup
pepait) in pij ocup pipu Qlpan pailci ppip, ocup po mnip a ]»cela
t)oib o chup CO 0615. Clpbepc pij Qlpan ppi Conjal, ni Dam cuim-
jeac-pa pop oul lee in aoai;^ pij Gpenn 1 ceano caca, ap m can po
h-moapbca eipium a h-6pinn puaip anoip ajum-pa ocup t)o ponpum
copu ann pm, ocup po tappnjaipiupa Do, ocup Do paDup bpeichip
ppip na pajainD 1 ceanD cara ma a^aiD co bpac. Qp af pin cpa,
ni ba lujaiDi Do pocpaiDi-piu cen mipi do Dul leac, ol pe, uaip
acdD ceqiap mac ocum-]'a .1. QeD m eppiD uame, ocup Suibne, ocup
Conjal ITleanD, ocup Oomnall 6peac, a pinnpep, .1. bpaicpe macap
Duic-piu. Ip acu-pm acac ampaij ocup anpaiD Qlpan, ocup paj-
Daic lac-pu Do cum n-6penn Do cabaipc caca Do Domnall. Ocup
eipjpiu pem Dia n-ajallaim aipm a pileD ocup main Qlpan impu.
Ceic lapum Gonial 50 maijin a m-bacup, ocup pepaic pailci ppip;
ocup po innip Doib aicepc in pij, ocup ba maic leo.

Qpbepc QeD m eppiD uaine popap na mac, maD ail Duic-piu, a
Conjail, beic im cij-pi anochc pop pleiD, ciajpa lac Do cum
n-6penn, ocup in cecpamaD pann d' Qlbain imum, ocup mmub am
chij bia]»u a nocc, nf ceip lac Do cum in caca. Qcbepc Gonial
ITlenD, mac Gachach buiDe, nf pa pip pon, a QeD, ol pe, ace ip
im cig-pea biap pij UlaD anocc, Daij Dia n-Deacappa laip cic-
papu lim, dp ip ocum-pa acai. 6a h-e pin, Din, pdD Suibne ocup

Domnaill

^ DomhnaU Brec. — This Domhnall Brec, by his cotemporaiy Adamnan in the fifth
who was king of Scotland when the Battle chapter of the third book of his Life of
of Magh-Rath was fought, is mentioned Columba. — SeeTriasThaum, p. 365, coLi

DubMiadh, — " If ye have come hither

To confer with Eochaidh Buidhe,

After your arrival over the sea,

I say unto you accept my affection."

After this, Congal went into the assembly in which the king of
Alba was; and the king and the men of Alba bade him welcome, and
he told them his story from beginning to end. The king of Alba said
to Congal, " It is not in my power to go with thee to fight a battle
against the king of Erin, because when he was banished from Erin
he received honour from me ; and we made a covenant, and I pro-
mised him, and pledged my word, that I would never go to oppose
him in battle. However, thy forces will not be the less numerous
because I go not along with thee," said he, " for I have four sons,
viz., Aedh of the Green Dress, Suibhne, Congal Menn, and Domhnall
Brec*", the eldest, thy maternal uncles ; it is they who have the com-
mand of the soldiers and heroes'* of Alba, and they shall go with
thee to Erin to give battle to Domhnall. And go thyself to confer
with them where they are at present surrounded by the men of
Alba." Congal then went to where they were, and they bade him
welcome ; and he told them the king's suggestion, and they liked it.

Aedh of the Green Dress, the youngest of the sons, said, " If thou
shouldest wish, Congal, to stop this night at a banquet in my house,
I will go with thee to Erin with the fourth part of the forces of Alba ;
and if thou wilt not stop at my house to-night, I will not go with
thee to the battle." Congal Menn, the son of Eochaidh Buidhe, said,
" This will not be the case, O Aedh, but the king of Ulster shall
stop this night at my house, for if I go with him thou shalt accom-
pany me, because thou art under my control." And the sa}Tngs of

Suibhne

^ Heroes, — dnpcro is explained laoc, a the Leabbar Breac, fol. 40, h; and cham-
hero, by O'Clery; j^pac, a champioHj in joton, hero, by Peter Connell.

IBISH ABCH. BOC. 6. H

Domnaill bpicc. Q|»bepc, Oin, Domnall bpeac, mao im tnj-y^ea
beap pij Ulao anocc, oia n-t)ccap laip cicpaicfp a cpiup lim-fa,
6p If me bap pmnycp, ocup ly mc oo pao poipb oaib-pi. 6a bp6-
nac cpa an cf Gonial o' impeapan clomoc m pij imc pein ; ocup
ceic pcacn6n na t>dla, ocup oo pala Duboiao Dpai 06, ocup innipio
Gonial aicepc clomoi m pi^ o6, Qpbepc Oubomo ndp bar bpo-
nach-pu ap di pin a Ghonjail, ol pe, dp ip mipi fcpap Do 6obp6n:
6ip5 anopa Dia pai^m, ol pe, ocup abaip ppiu, cipe uamib po gebao
m caipe plara pil a cij m pij ooc biarao a nocc, comao lap m cf
po ^ebac in caipe no pajra, ocup m rf na puigbeat) m caipe cen a
t>imt>a bo beir popc-pu, ace ip popp in pij ba copu a aicbip 00 beic
imon caipe. Do luib Gonial jup an mdi^m 1 m-baoap clann an
pfj, ocup po can piu peb ac pubaipc Ouboiab ppip. 5a maic leo-
pum pin, ocup aj^bepcaoap Do jenDaip amail a Dubaipc pium.

Qcbcpc imoppo QeD, mac Gachach buiDe, ppi a mnai pepm
oul pop lappaip m caipe popp in pi^. Ceic lapum ocup mnipiD
cumaD ma C15 no bmo Gonial co maiab UlaD ocup Qlbcm an
oibce, pm, cumao coip in caipe ampicean 00 tabaipc ppi h-aijiD a
biara.

Gio 01a pil caipe ampicean 00 paoa ppip ? Nm j, Gaipe no
aipiceao a cuio coip 00 ^ac en, ocup ni rei^eaD Dam DimDach
uaDa, ocup ciD mop no cuiprea ann ni ba bpuirea De ace Daicin na
Ddime pa na miaD ocup pa na n-^paD. Ip e imoppo pamail in caipe

* Bnti^im kmaDetya^ is often also called
Braighin da Berga. A copy of the histo-
rical tale called TtykaitBrm^^ daBerya,
the DtanolitioD of Bruighin da Berga, in
which relerenoe is made to a wonderful
magical oauldron of this description, is
preserved in two Valium MSS. in the Li*
bitury of Trinity College, Dublin, (Class

H. 2. 16. and H. 5. 18.), and mLeabkar na
k-Uuikrey a MS, of the twelfth centuiy,
now in the collection of Messr& Hodges
and Smith, Dublin. The destructioin of
Bruighin da Berga is thus recorded in the
authentic Annals of Tighemach, twenty*
fire years before the birth of Christ:
«« Ante Christum 25, — ^Conaire Mor, the

Smbhne and Domhnall Brec were similar. Domhnall Brec said, " If
the king of Ulster remain in my house to-night, and if I go with him
you three shall accompany me, for I am your senior, and it was I
who gave you lands." Congal was sorry for the contention among
the king's sons about himself; and he went through the assembly,
and Dubhdiadh, the Druid, met him, to whom he mentioned the
desire of the sons of the king. Dubhdiadh said, ^' Be not sorry for
this, Congal, for I will remedy thy sorrow: go now to them, and
tell them, that thou wilt stop with that one of them who shall obtain
the regal cauldron which is in the king's house, to prepare food for
thee, and that the person who will not get the cauldron is not to be
displeased with thee in consequence, but with the king." Congal went
to where the sons of the king were, and told them what Dubhdiadh
had desired him. They liked this, and said that they would do as he
wished.

Then Aedh, the son of Eochaidh Buidhe, told his wife to go and
ask the cauldron of the king. She went and said, that " it was in her
house that Congal and the chiefs of Ulster and Alba would stop, and
that the Caire Ainsicen ought to be given to prepare food for them."

Why was it called Caire Ainsicen? It is not difficult to tell. It was
the " caire," or cauldron, which was used to return his own proper
share to each, and no party ever went away from it unsatisfied, for what-
ever quantity was put into it there was never boiled of it but what was
sufficient for the company according to their grade and rank. It was
a cauldron of this description that was at Bruighin hua Derga*, where

Conaire

son of Edersgeol, was king of Ireland for bhar Mac Nessa, Coirpre Niafer, Tigber-
80 years. After tbe first plundering of nacb Tedbannacb, Degbaidb, son of Sin,
Bruigbin da Berga, tbe palace of Conaire and Ailill, son of Madacb and Meave of •
Mor, tbe son of Edersgeol, Ireland was Cruacbain,inConnaugbt'* See also O'Fla-
diyided into five parts, between CJoncbo- berty's Ogygia, p. 131.

pin bui a Tn-bpuism hua Oep^o, m po mapbca Conaipe, mac
TTlep buachalla, ocup i m-bpuigin 6lai bpu;sa, aic a m-bui ben
Celrcaip, mic Uirhip; ocup i m-bpnijin popjaill ITlonac, i caeb
tupca; ocup 1 m-bpuigm imc Cechc, pop Sleib puipi; ocup i
m-bpuijin mic Daco, die in po laao dp Connacc ocup Ulao imon
muic n-ipDpaic; ocup i m-bpuigin Da Choja, in po mapbca Copmac
Conlon5uip,ocup dp Ulat) ime; ocup aj pij Qlban ipm aimpip pm:
Qcbepc in pij ppi mnai a mic, cia maic pil pop t)o ceile-piu
l^each pipu Qlpan uile in can oo bepamo-pi mo caipe 06? Qpbepc
pi, ni po eicij neac im ni piam ; moo a emeac oloap bic. Uc
Oixicmuliep:

Ni puaip CTeD, ni puijeba

ni 00 ceileD pop ouine,

ip leiciu pop a emeach,

ma in bic bleiDec buiDe.^
Seoio in caiman caeb uaine»

a puaip ouine ocup oaenna,

pe h-achai6 na h-oen uaipe,

ni beoip 1 laim Qeoa.
Q caicep pe h-aijeoaib

'5 d cpiup bpacap, met) n-uailli,

cuipci pm ap paen-bepaib,

a^ Qeo in eppiD uaini.

Qcbepc

f Bruigkin Blai Bmga, — Copies of a ^ Sliahh Fuirri, is now corruptly called

tale in which reference is made to a simi- Sliabh Mhuiri, and is situated near Castle

lar caiddron at Bruighin Blai Bruga, are Kelly, in the parish of Killeroran, in the

preserved in the MS. Library of Trinity north-east of the county of Gralway.

College (H. 2. 18. and H. 3. 18.) ^ Bruighin Mic Datho, — ^A copy of a tale^

K Ltiscay now Lusk, in the county of in which the magical cauldron of Bruighin

Dublin. The name signifies a cave. Mic Datho is introduced, is preserved in

Conaire, the son of Meisi Buachalla, was slain ; and at Bruigliin Blai
Bruga*^, where the wife of Celtchair, the son of Uithir, was; and at
Bruighin Forgaill Monach, alongside Lusca*^; and at Bruighin Mic
Cecht, on Sliabh Fmrri*; and at Bruighin Mic Datho*, where the
Connacians and Ultonians were slaughtered contending about the
celebrated pig; and at Bruighin Da Choga^ where Cormac Conlonguis
was slain and his Ultonians slaughtered around him ; and such also
the king of Alba had at this time.

The king said to the wife of his son, " In what is thy husband
better than all the men of Alba that I should give my cauldron to
him?" She repUed, " He never refused any one any thing ; his hos-
pitality exceeds the world:" ut dixit mulier:

" Aedh has not received, will not receive
A thing he would refuse any man ;
His bounty moreover is more extensive
Than the vast proUfic world.
The jewels of the green-faced earth,
Which man or mortal has foimd,
For the space of one hour.
Would not remain in the hand of Aedh.
What is spent on guests

By his three brothers of great pride*
Would be placed on small spits
By Aedh of the Green Apparel.

Aedh has not," &c.

The

the MS. Library of Trinity College (H. 3. have pointed out, lies near Ballyloughloe, in

18.) This place is now unknown. the county of Westmeath, six miles to the

i Bruighin da Choga, — A copy of the north-east of Athlone. A stone castle was

story of the cauldron at this place is in here erected by the family of Dillon within

the same MS. Bruigkin-da-Ckoga^ the situ- the primitive Irish Bruighin or fort The

ation of which none of our Topographers place is now called Breenmore.

Qcbepc m pij, m nbeppa m caipe ^u^c-p coleic. Cic pi do
paigiD a pip, ocup mnipit) aichepc m pij t>o. Qcbepc Gonial ITlcno,
mac Gachach buioi, ppi a peicig pepin Dul pop lappaip in coipc.
Ceic mpiim ocup pipio m caipe do biacaD pij UlaD. Qcbepc m
pij, cia TTiaic pil pope cheile piu 6 do bepca ni coipe Do cap m mac
Dia po pipeD h-6 jup cpapca? Qcbepc pi mp pil mac pij ip pepp
oloap Conjal. CmniD pop cac comlann, ocup po ^laD a apmu
Dilep Don anDilep in can bepap a cip ani6il lac ; Uc Dine muliep:

Gonial ITlenD,

nip paca mac pig buD pepp,

map cpomaiD each ip m cleic,

ap pcdc a pceic, caejaD ceanD,
In uaip bepap aipm Gonjail

a cip aniul, pdc n-eiDij,

DO nicep cip Dile]* Di,

Do'n cfp aniuil ap eicm.
In uaip pillep ben Gonjail

ap ojlac n-alainD n-oll-blaD,

ni anann aja cojaipm,

m pep Dan comainm Gonjal!

Conjal. m.

Ro ep an pij imon j-coipe an bean, ocup cij piDe amach ocup
inDipiD D'd ccile a n-Debaipc m pi ppia. Qcbepc Oomnall 6peac
ppi a mnai Dol D'lappaiD m coipe jup in pi^. Uainic piDe co
h-aipm a m-bwi m pig, ocup pipiD m coipe. Ro lappacc pin Di cia
maic pil pope ceili piu peac na macu ele Dia po cumDjeD in coipe?
ppipgaipc pi, ni cuille buibe ppi ndch pij in ci Domnall bpeacc;

S6maD

^ Unlawful pfvperty^ — ^L e. he conquers law of the sword, which could not other-
territories, and makes that his own, by the wise have become his own«

The king said, " I will not give thee the cauldron as yet." She
then returned to her husband, and told him what the king had said.
Congal Menn, the son of Eochaidh Buidhe, told his wife to go and
ask the cauldron. She went accordingly, and asked the cauldron to
prepare food for the king of Ulster. The king said, " What good-
ness is in thy husband that he should obtain the cauldron in pre-
ference to the son for whom it was just now sought?" She replied,
" There is no king's son better than Congal. He obtains the victory
in every battle, and his arms, when they are brought into a foreign
country, make lawful what was unlawful property^ ;" ut dixit mulier :

" Than Congal Menn

I have not seen a better king's son,

As all stoop in the battle

Under the shelter of his shield, even a himdred heads.
When the arms of Congal are brought

To a foreign country, — cause of jealousy, —

A lawful country is made of it.

Of the foreign country by force.
When the wife of Congal glances

At a beauteous youth of renown,

The man whose name is Congal

Cares not to accuse her* !

Than Congal," &c.

The king refused to give her the cauldron, and she came away

and related all the king had told her. Domhnall Brec told his wile

to go and ask the cauldron from the king, and she went to where the

king was, and asked the cauldron. He asked her, " What good is

in thy husband beyond the other sons for whom the cauldron was

asked?' She replied, " Domhnall Brec has not earned thanks from

any

^ By these words the wife of Congal sonCongal was not of a jealous disposition,
wishes king Eochaidh to understand that his — a very strange qualification of a chieftain.

jemat) op Slmb ITlonaiD nop pogailpeo ppi h-oen uaip ; ni po jab
aipm mac pig ip oeach oloap Domnall 6pec. Uc oixic muliep:

Domnall 6pec,

Oomnall mac 6chach bui6e,
pe pij, O* peabup a menma,
ni oepna cuillium buibe.
Ip pip caca n-abpaim-pi,
poclaioic piliD puimn.
Da mat) op Sliab mop ITloTiaiO,
pop pojail, ip nip puipij.
Ip pip cac a n-abpaim-pi,
a pij, cepc m oa comlanD,
nac ap jab Qlbam cen peall,
pig buD pepp ina Oomnall.

0.6.

Cic in mnai pm co h-aipm i m-bui a ceile, ocup mnipiD airepc
m pig, ocup a h-epa immon j-coipe. Qrbepr Suibne ppi a mnai
pepin, eip5, ol pc, ocup cumoij m coipe. Cic pi lapum ocup
cumojip in coipe. Ro piappaij in pij, cm buait> pil pope ceili-piu,
a mjen, ol pe, cap na macu ele, o canjuip d' lappaio m coipe.
Ppipjaipc pi Do, biD cerpap im lepaiD m oen pip, ocup m c-oen-pep
im cuiDij m ccrpaip a cij Suibne, ocup m lin bice ma peapam ann
ni callac *na puiDiu ocup m Im callac 'na puiDiu ni callac 'na
I151U ; ceD copnn ocup ceD eapcpa n-aipjic ppi Dail leanna ann do
5pep; Uc Dixie muliep:

Ceach Suibne,

Suibne mic Gachach buiDe

a colli inD ina peapam,

ni coillic ma T»uiDe.

» Sliahh Monaidh was the ancient name far from the palace of Dun Monaidh. — See
of a mountain in Lome, in Scotland, not Note *, p. 46,

any king ; were Sliabh Monaidh" of gold he would distribute it in
one hour; no king ever ruled Alba better than Domhnall Brec:" ut
dixit mulier:

" Domhnall Brec,

Domhnall, son of Eochaidh Buidhe,
From any king, through the goodness of his mind,
He has earned no thanks.
All that I say is true, king !

The poets of the west proclaim it,
If the great Sliabh Monaidh were gold
He would distribute it ; he would not hoard it.
All that I say is true,

O king, just in thy battle,

Alba has not been legitimately obtained

By a better king than Domhnall.

Domhnall Brec," &c.
The king refused, and the woman came to where her husband
was, and told what the king had said, and how she was refused the
cauldron. Suibhne told his wife to go and ask the cauldron. She
then went, and asked the cauldron. The king asked, " What qua-
lification does thy husband possess, daughter, beyond the other
sons, that thou shouldst come to ask the cauldron?" She replied,
" Four be around the bed of one man, and one man gets the supper
of four in the house of Suibhne ; and the number which fit in it
standing would not fit sitting, and the number which fit in it sitting
would not fit in it lying; there are in it constantly one himdred
cups and one hundred vessels of silver to distribute ale ;" ut dixit

mulier:

" The house of Suibhne,

Suibhne, son of Eochaidh Buidhe,

The number which fit in it standing

Would not if sitting,

IRISH ABCH. soc. 6. I And

Q colli mo ma puioe,

TJi coillic ma laije.

oen pep im cuit) m cearpaip,

cerpap im lepaio oumc.
Ceo copnn ocup ceo copan,

ceo cope, ocup ceo cmoe,

ip ceo ea]»cpa aip^oioe

bip call ap lap a cijc.

Ip ann apbepc m pij, ndp bac Oimoach-pu, a mjen, ol pe, ap
acbepc Ouboiao Dpai ppim-pa cen mo caipe oo cabaipc oo neac
ele a nocc, ace a beic ocum pern ocup pij Ulao, .i. mac m'mj^ne,
ocup pipu Qlban oo biachao a^um-pa ap]* anocc. Ocup pop
acbepc m Duboiao ceona, Oia m-bao coipe oip no beic arm, cumao
coip a cabaipc oo Oomnall, oo pmnpep mo mac; ocup Oia m-bao
coipe ap^aio, a cabaipc Oo'n c-popap, j. o' QeO; ocup om m-bao
coipe 00 Ifc logmaip, a cabaipc Oo Chonjal ITleno. Ocup m caipe
pil ano Om, ap ipe ip Oeach oib pin uile, Oiacapocai Ooneach ele
h-e, ip 00 Suibne no pa^ao, ap ip e m pen-pocal 6 cem maip, .i. m
coipe oo'n c-pocaioe, ap ip aoba pocaioe ceac Suibne, ap m oecaio
odm oimoach app. Conao ann apbepc m pig:

bepeao mo opai Oealgnaiji

bpeac 00 mnaib mac TTlojaipe

ca bean cneip-jeal ceann-buioe,

oib o'a cibep mo caipe.

Oia m-baO coipe opoaiji,

CO n-opolaib oip o'a pognann,

° Joints. — The word cinoe, tinner is ex- any animaL — See Life of St Bridget, by

plained a sheep by Vallancey, Collectanea Brogan, where Colgan loosely translates

de rebus HibemiciSj voL iii p. 514) but its the word by lardum,
proper meaning, is a joint of the flesh of

And those who find room sitting

Would not if lying.

One man with the share of four,

Four aroimd the bed of each man.
One hundred goblets, one hundred cups,

One hundred hogs, and one hundred joints",

And one hundred silver vessels,

Are yonder in the middle of his house.

The house," &c.

It was then the king said, " Be not displeased, daughter, for
Dubhdiadh, the Druid, told me not to give my cauldron to any one
to-night, but to keep it myself and to entertain my daughter's son, the
king of Ulster, and the men of Alba out of it to-night. And, more-
over, the same Dubhdiadh told me, if it were a cauldron of gold, to give
it to Domhnall, the eldest of my sons ; if a cauldron of silver, to give
it to Aedh, the youngest ; and if it were a cauldron of precious stones,
to give it to Congal Menu. And the cauldron which I have is the best
of all these, and if it were to be given to any one, it is to Suibhne it
should go, for it has been a proverb from a remote period, Let the
cauldron be given to the multitude, for the house of Suibhne is the
resort of the multitude, and no company ever returned displeased
from it." And then the king said:

The King. — " Let my austere Druid decide

Between the wives of Mogaire's sons°.
To what fair-skinned yellow-haired woman
Of them my cauldron shall be given."

Dubhdiadh. — " If it were a golden cauldron,

With golden hooks to move it,

° Moffaire*8 sons. — It would appear from or a cognomen of king Eochaidh, but no
theoontext, thatMogaire was an alias name, other authority for it has been found.

a 6ochai6, a flog oume,

coip a rabaipc Do Oomnall.
Oia m-bao coipe aipjDigi,

t)o na cic t)c na oeacach,

a cabaipc o' Qeo aipjniji,

DO y*6pap clainDi Gachach.
Dia m-baD coipe comaDbal,

Do Congal CO meD leann-maip,

D*on pip pochla pon-aDbal,

DO nf mop n-Dilep D'amDlep .
In coipe CO cloraiji,

a GochaiD, a pij-puipe,

a cabaipc Do'n c-pocame,

DO Suibne ap lap a chije.
Opa lim Qlbain cen peill,

Da maD am pij pop 6pinn,

DO bepainD pop mnaib mo mac,

mo beannacc, ocup bepeac.

bepeaD.

Ciagac ploij Qlban uile, ocup pij UlaD, do cij pig Qlban in

abai j pin, ocup ba maic Doib ann icip biaD ocup ImD; ocup po jmaD

Dal ocnaij ap na bapac, Dia pip m cicpaDiy» la Conjal Claen Docum

n-6penn, Do cabaipc caca Do Oomnall, mac QeDa, Do pig 6penn,

ocup po paiDpec ppi OubDiaD ocup ppi a n-Dpaicib olcena paic-

pme DO Denam Doib Dup in buD popaiD a peD ocup a cupu]\ ocup

po jabpac na Dpaice aj micelmaine Doib, ocup oca coipmepc.

ConaD ann apbepc OubDiaD na pamn-pi :

ITlaich pin a pipu Qlban,

ca camgen uil bap D-capjlam

CID

P To know, — Dup is used in the Annals of MSS., for the modern o'piop, i. e. /o know^

the Four Masters, and in the best ancient of which it is evidently an abbreviation.

O Eochy of the hosts of men !

It should be given to Domhnall.

If it were a cauldron of silver

From which would issue neither steam nor smoke,

It should be given to the plundering Aedh,

The youngest of the sons of Eochaidh.

If it were a cauldron very great,

It should be given to Congal of the beauteous tunic,

That renowned man of great prosperity,

Who makes lawful of imlawful property.

The cauldron with ornament,

Eochaidh, great king !
Should be given to the host.

To Suibhne in the middle of his house."
The King. — " As I am the ruler of Alba without treachery.

Should I be king over Erin,

1 would pronounce on the wives of my sons
A blessmg, which I wiU pronounce.

Let my," &c.

All the host of Alba, and the king of Ulster, came that night to
to the house of the king, and were well entertained there both with
food and drink; and on the morrow they convened an assembly of
the people, to know whether they should go with Congal Claen to
Erin, to give battle to Domhnall, the son of Aedh, king of Erin ; and
they told Dubhdiadh and their other Druids to prophesy unto them
to know^ whether their journey and expedition would be prosperous,
and the Druids predicted evil to them, and forbade them to go. On
which occasion Dubhdiadh repeated these verses:

That is good, ye men of Alba !

What cause has brought you together ?

What

ciD t>o pala ap bap n-aipe,

an lo a cacai a n-oen-baile?
O nach h-f bap b-plea]x lama

ep>ii CO n-imao n-odla,

Tnaip5 ceic, cpia claecloD uije,

Do cpom pe pij Uempaiji.
5<> pia pep pino-liac pcca,

If ba h-oipoepc a ecca;

m gebcap ppip ciap na caip,

cuippio ap ap Qlbancaib.
Q pluaj CO lin 65 ip eac !

mac Qet)a, mic Qinmipeac,

cpia pipinnc a bpeac, m bpej,

aca Cpipc ica coimeo.
Ip maips na peacain m maj,

a ceagap o'd bap pcapao;

^aeDil 'n-a cuipe pd'n clao

pib-pi aj Dul, pobp pepp anao.
Ip maip5 na peacham m jleano, •

gebcap oipb a o-cip n-6ipeanD ;

ni cibpe neac uaib a ceano,

jan a cpeic pe pig epeano.
Oeic ceo cenn copac bap n-dip,

cimcell pij Ulao oll-bam,

o* pepaib Qlban pin 'p an ap,

ocup pice cec comlan.

Cuiprip

^ Native land, — pleafx; laiha is a tech- Trinity CJoU^e, Dublin, (Class H. 3. 18.

nical term signifying land reclainied by foL 52), as follows: pleapc •!• peapono,

one's own hand, and which is one's own uc efc, opba laime na manac ocup na

peculiar property. It is satisfactorily ex- naeiii pao^iptn .1. pleapc laiiiie na manuc

plained in a vellum MS. in the Library of ocup na naeih. L e. "Fleasc^ L e. land, ut est,

What object occupies your attention,

As ye are all this day in one place ?
As Erin of many adventures

Is not your native land*",

Alas for those who go, by change of journey,

To fight with the king of Tara.
A fair grey man' of fame will meet them,

Whose deeds are celebrated ;

He cannot be avoided, east or west.

He will bring slaughter on the Albanachs.
O host of many a youth and steed !

The son of Aedh, son of Ainmire,

Through the truth of his judgment, — no falsehood, —

Is protected by Christ.
Alas for those who shun not the plain.

To which ye go only to be dispersed ;

The Graels shall be in groups beneath the mound ;
• Ye are going, but better it were to stay.
Alas for those who shun not the vale.

Ye shall be defeated in the land of Erin* ;

Not one of you shall carry his head,

But shall sell it to the king of Erin.
Ten hundred heads shall be the beginning of your slaughter,

Around the great fair king of Ulster,

This number shall be slaughtered of the men of Alba,

And ten hundred fully.

Wolves

the land, reclaimed by the hand of the monks * Erin In the vellum copy the reading

and the saints themselves, is called the is, ifcip caeBpen^, i.e. in the slender-sided

Fleaselaimhe of the monks and the saints.'' country ; but a o-cip n-6tpeanu, which is

' Afair^ey man. — King Domhnall was in the paper copy corrected by Peter Con-

an old man when this battle was fought nell, is much better.

Cuiprip ocup buiDne bpan,

cpmopiccio cinn bup j-cupab.
CO pimrap saineam jpinD glan,
ni h-aipemrap cino UlaO.
Qcc nac bpij pai peine oe

pe h-ucc cpoc DO cimbibe
pceptap bap pip pe plaichep,
beiD bap nina cen bic-maicep. ITl.

Ip ano pin acbepc pig Qltan ppi Gonial, ip e ip coip ouic, ol pe,
Dul a m-bpeacnaib co h-6ocaiO Qinjceap, co pig bpeacan, ap ip
ingen oo pil Do mnai ocum-pa, ocup ip i-pioe macaip oo marap-j^a,
ocup pogeba cobaip ploig uaoa, ocup Do biuppa eolup ouic conice
reach pij 6pecan oia ceip ann.

6a bumech cpa in ci Conjal oe pin, ocup ceic luce cpica
long CO bpecnu, co piachc oun m pig. Innipic m oic pcela Do'n
pig ocup DO maicib bpecan conio h-e pig Ulao do piacc ann.
6a pailib pipu 6pecan ocup in pig ppip, ocup pepaic pailci ppip,
ocup lappaigir pcela oe. Ocup mnpio Congal a pcela co*leip, ocup
a imchupa icip Qlbain ocup Gpinn.

Dogninp lapum oail oenaig leo im Congal ocup im Ullcaib ol-
ceana, ppi oenam comaipli imon camgin pin. Qmail po baoap
ann ipm oailco n-pacaoap oen laec mop cucu; caeime oo laecaib
m oomam; moo ocup aipOiu oloap cec pep; guipmirep oigpeao a
pope; oepginp nua-papraingi a bel; gilicip ppa]Hi nemano a oeo;
aillicip pnecca n-oen aioce a cop p. Sciac cobpaoac cona cimac-

mac

' The text of this quatrain is corrected event had occurred, rather judiciously in-

from Mac Moriss j*s paper copy, which was troduced. Adamnan, the learned Abbot

correctedby P. Connell, evidently from an of lona, in whose time this battle was

old vellum MS., not now to be found. fought, states, that St Columbkille had

^ This is the poet's prophecy after the delivered a similar prophecy to Aidan,

Wolves and flocks of ravens

Shall devour the heads of your heroes:
Until the fine clean sand is reckoned
The heads of the Ultonians shall not be reckoned^
But prophecy is of no avail indeed

When the obstinate are on the brink of destruction !
Your men shall be separated from sovereignty,"
Your women shall be without constant goodness."
The king of Alba then said to Congal, " It is right for thee," said
he, " to go into Britain to Eochaidh Aingces, king of Britain, for one
of his daughters is my wife, and she is the mother of thy mother,
and diou shalt receive aid in forces from him, and I shall guide thee
to the house of the king of Britain, if thou wilt go."

Congal was thankful to him, and set out accompanied by thirty
ships for Britain, until he reached the king's palace. His youths
announced to the king and the chiefs of Britain that the king of
Ulster had arrived, and the men of Britain and the king were re-
joiced at it, bade him welcome, and asked him his news. And he
told him his news fully, and his adventures between Alba and Erin.
An assembly was afterwards convened by them around Congal
and the rest of the Ultonians, to hold a consultation on this project.
When they were assembled at the meeting, they saw one great hero
approaching them ; fairest of the heroes of the world ; larger and
taller than any man ; bluer than ice his eye ; redder than the fresh
rowan berries his lips; whiter than showers of pearls his teeth; fairer
than the snow of one night his skin ; a protecting shield with a golden

border

king of Scotland, the grandfather of Domh- sine causa vastante provinciam Domnill ne-

nall Brec, which was actually fulfilled in potis Ainmirech : et k die ilia usque hodie

Adanman's own time : ^' Hoc autem vatici- adhuc in proclivo sunt ab extraneis, quod

nimn temporibus nostris completum est in suspiria doloris pectori incutit. — Vita Co-

J9eZ2o.Aa/A,DomnalloBrecconepoteAidani, lumboB^ Lib. III. c. 5. Trias ThaiL p. 365.

IBISH ARCH. SOC. 6. K

mac oip paip ; oacpaipij caca 'n alaim ; cloioem co n-alcaib d6o,
ocup CO n-iTYiDenuni oip pop a caeb; ocup cen cpealam laic laip
oloapin; pole op-biiioi pop a cino, ocup jnuip caem copcupoa laip.

Da ceacamj cucu ip in oail, ocup apbepr in pij cen a piaoujao,
CO pepao m anpab peccaip na oala, no in picpaD aipm a m-baoap
na pi5 ocup na cac-milio olccna.

lap poccain x>o porii a n-imel na oala, ni po aipip 50 painij co
h-aipm 1 pacaio ecopc m pig, ocup po puiD pop a laim oeip, eioip
c ocup pij Ulao. Cio im ap pumip pamlaio? 61 each. Nip
h-cpbao ppim anaD a n-mao eli, ol peipium. Ocup o'p me pein 00
pijne mat) oam, oia m-beic ann mat) but) pepp oloapeo ip ann no
aipippino. Cibip m pij ime, ocup apbepr, bo coip Do a n-oepnai.
lappaijic na pip pcela t)o, ocup mnipit) t)oib pcela m beca ppec-
naipc; moapleo ni bui pa mm pcela nat) m-bui aici; po jpaDaijpec
CO mop h-e icip pipu ocup mna, pop pebup a ecoipc ocup a iplabpa.
Qipm mopa laip; ni bui ip in oenac oen laech no pet)paD a
n-imluao a lachaip caca, ap a met) ocup ap a n-aioble. lappaijic
DO can a cenel, ocup cia a plonnut). Qpbepc pum ndcha ploinneat)
Doneac ele, ocup nf innippeo ooib-pium can a cenel ndch'a plonnuo.

Uiajaic na ploij ip m oun lap pin, ocup pajabap eipium a
oenap a muij peachnon na cealcha popp a m-bui in c-oenach.
Q m-bui nann conup paca oen ouine cuice ip in culaij, aicnit)
pop a eppeao co m-ba pilit) m rf rainic ann, ocup pepaio pailci
ppip,amail buo aicmo t)o h-e; ocuppuiDij* in pilioaici pop caeb na

celca,

^ Knobs of ivory. — Co n.alcaiB oeo, L e. Oloap is an ancient conjunction, now en-
literally, with knobs of teeth. The northern tirely obsolete, the modern ina being sub-
nations were accustomed to ornament their stituted in its place ; but it is explained in
swords with the teeth of the sea-horse. Cormac's Glossary by the Latin quam, and

^ Besides these. — Oloapin should be in the printed Dictionaries, by the English

properly written oloap fin, L e. than that, above, mare than.

border was upon him ; two battle lances in his hand ; a sword with
knobs of ivory', and ornamented with gold, at his side ; he had no
other accoutrements of a hero besides these^ ; he had golden hair on
his head, and had a fair, ruddy countenance.

He advanced to them to the assembly, and the king ordered that
he should not be saluted, until it should be known whether he would
remain outside the meeting, or advance to where the king and all
the warriors were seated.

When he had arrived at the border of the assembly, he stopped not
till he came to the place where he saw the countenance of the king,
and he sat at his right hand, between him and the king of Ulster.
" Why hast thou sat thus T said alL "I was not ordered to remain any
where else," said he, " and because it was I myself that selected the
place, if there had been a better place than this, it is there I would stay."
The king smiled at this, and said, "He is right in all he has done."
The men then asked him the news, and he told them all the news in
the present world, for there was not, they thought, a story \mder
heaven which he had not; and they loved him very much, both men
and women, for the goodness of his countenance and his eloquence.
He had very large weapons, so large and massive that there was not
a hero at the assembly* who could wield them in the field of battle.
And diey asked of what race he was, and what his surname was. He
replied, that he was not accustomed to tell his name to any one, and
that he would not tell them his tribe or surname.

The hosts then repaired into the palace, and left him alone out-
side, on the hill on which the meeting was held. When he had been
here for some time, he perceived a man coming towards him to the
hill, and he knew him by his dress to be a poet, and he bade him

welcome

' AMcmUy, — Oenac, now always writ- . bly of the people ; but now it is applied
ten aonac, anciently signified any assem- to a cattle fair only.

reica, ocup lappaijip fcela Do. InnipD pium o6 na h-uile peel ba
lamo laip, ace nama ni po plomo a cenel 06. Cia rupa anopa,
ol in c-o^lac anaicniD, ocup can 00 cenel, ap ac^eonpa ipac piliD.
6ice]» ocuppiliD m pij aOum comnaicpi, ol pe, ocup 00 paijio otnne
m pij 00 DeacaDup anopa. peapaio mpum pleochuo mop ocup
palcc anbail 061b, ocup ba pneacca cech pe pecc po pepao ann.
CuipiD pium Dm a pciac icip in cicep ocup in pleochuo, ocup lecm
a apmu ocup a eioiuo caca peipin ppip m pneachca. CiD pin? ol
m piliD. Qcbep ppic, ol pe, Dia m-beab aipmiciu buo mo oloap po
a^um po jebcha-pa 1 ap ch' egpi, ocup o na pil, ip am cuiboipi ppi
pleochuo map m ci <K:a m-biaO ecpi. 6a buioec in pilio oe pin,
ocup appepc ppip, OiamaO miao lar-pa ciaccam lim-pa a nocr oo'm
C15, po ^ebamn biao ocup pep aioci ouir. TTlaic lim, ol pe. Uiagaic
00 C15 m ecip ocup po gebic a n-oairm bfo ocup leanna ano.

Ip ano pin cainic cecraipe m pij ap cenn in ecip. Qppepc pum
na pajao ace mm buo coil o'on oglac anaichnio bui malli ppip
oul ann, appepc pein, ba coip oul ann, ap 1 pe piuo m cpeap mao ip
moo 1 pajbaic pilio achumsio .1. in oenach, ocup pop banaip, ocup
pop pleiO; ocupm cicpaofm-pa ploi^bpecan in oen maigm, ocup a
n-oul uaic-piu cen ni o' pajbail uaioib ap mo pon-pa. "Ciajaic
oo'n oun, ocup pufoijrep lac ann, .1. in pilio 1 piaonaipi inpi^, ocup
eipium 1 maigm eli. Do bepap biao ooib, ocup cocaicio a m-biao

CO.

y I perceive. — Qp acjeonpa ipoc pilio
would not be now understood in any part
of Ireland ; the modem form of the sen-
tence is, oip airnijim-fe ^up pilio cu.

» Wotddnotffo. — "Rajoo, or more cor-
rectly Ro^ao, is the ancient Subjunctive
mood of c6i^im, or c^ioim, I go ; and
though this form is not given in any of the

printed Irish Grammars, it is still com-
monly in use in the south of Ireland.
T^acpao is the form given in the printed
Grammars.

* Unless it were, — TTlin buo would be
written mun bao in the modern Irish ; it
means nisi esset,

*• QnaichniQ, — i, e. unknown^ is written

welcome as if he were known to him. The poet sat down with him
on the side of the hill, and asked him the news. The other told all
the news he was desirous to hear, excepting only that he did not tell
him the name of his tribe. " Who art thou thyself, now," said the
imknown youth, " and what is thy race, for I perceive^ that thou art a
poet." " The Eges [i. e. sage] and poet of the king do I happen to
be," said he, " and to the king's palace am I now repairing." A heavy
shower then fell, consisting of intermingled rain and snow, and he put
his shield between the poet and the shower, and left his own arms and
battle dress exposed to the snow. " What is this for ?" said the poet.
'* I say unto thee," replied he, " that if I could show thee a greater
token of veneration than this, thou shouldst receive it for thy learn-
ing, but as I cannot, I can only say, that I am more fit to bear rain
than one who has learning." The poet was thankful for this, and
said to him, " If thou wouldst think proper to come with me this
night to my house, I shall procure food and a night's entertainment
for diee." " I think well of it," rephed the other. They repaired to
the poet's house, and got a sufficiency of meat and drink there.

Then it was that the king's messenger came for the poet, but the
poet said that he would not go* unless it were* the wish of the un-
known^ youth that he should go; and the latter replied, that it was meet
to go to the assembly, " for," said he, " there are three places at which
a poet obtains the greatest request, namely, at a meeting, at a wedding,
and at a banquet ; and I shall not be the cause that the host of Britain
should be assembled together in one place, and go away from thee
without thy getting anything from them." They repaired to the
palace, and they were seated there, the poet in the presence of the
king, and the other elsewhere. Food was distributed to them, and

they

according to the modem mode of ortbo- a negative, particle, which is equivalent
graphy anairniD; it is compounded of an, to the English un, and aicnio, known.

CO m-ba paiceach lac. Qi^pepc in pilio ppipum pia n-oul ip in
Dun, om cucca cnaim pmeapa pop meip ina piaonaipi, ccn a blaoao
CO bpdch, ap acd a celiac m pij oglach Diana olijcab cc6 cndim
im a ceic pmip, ocup Oiam-bpipcep oapa ainocom-pitim h-e, ipcicen
a comrpom De oepj op x>o cabaipr Do-pum mo, no compac pop
jalaib oen-pip, ocup pep comlaino ceo eipium. TTlaich pin, ol pe,
CO D-rapD pom Do jen-pa mo Dail pecha. Ni po an pum Din co
capoao cndim pop meip Do, ocup Dobep Idim pop cec cinD De, ocup
bpipiD icip a Di mep he, ocup coimliD a pmip ocu]* a peoil ap a
aicli. QcciaDcach pin, ocup ba h-injnaDleo. Inmpcep D'on laech
ucuD, Diap ba DlijeD an pmiop, a nf pin. Qcpaij pem puap co peip^
moip, ocup CO m-bpuc mileD Da Dijail popp in ci po mill a jcpi,
ocup po comail a Dligeab. Or conaipc pium pin do pa la epcup
Do'n cnaim do, co m-bui cpi n-a ceann piap ap D-cpeajab a incinne
im eDan a cloijinn. Qrpaijpec muinncip in pi^ ocup a celiac Dia
aiplec-pum 'n a Dijail pin. Ueic pium puicib amail ceic peg pa
minDcu, ocup Do jni aiplech popaib, co m-ba lia a maipb olDaic a
m-bi. Ocup po ceicpec in Dponj po pa beo Dib. Cic pium Do piDipi,
ocuppuiDij pop ^ualainD in pileD ceDna, ocup.po jab omunmop m
pij; ocup in pijan peme, oc conncaDap a jal cupaD, ocup a lumDe
laic, ocup a bpuc mileD ap n-epji. Qppepc-pum ppiu nap ba h-ecail,
Doib h-e ace mme ciceD m cejlac ip in ceach Do piDipi. Ro paiD
m pij na cicpaoip. Ro bean pum a cacbapp n-6ip Dia cmD annpm,
ocup ba caem a jnuip ocu]» a Delb, lap n-epji a puiDi^ ppi peipjm
cacaijche.

^ Wets broughL — ^Capoao is an ancient part of Ireland,
form of the modem cu^ao, L e. was given^ ^ He flung. — ^Gpcup is now always writ^

the past tense Indie, mood of cu^aim or ten upcup; it signifies a cast, throw, or

caBpai m. It often occurs in ancient MSS., shot
but is not understood at present in any * He came again. — X^o pioip is gene-

they took of the food till they were satisfied. Before entering the
palace the poet had told him [the unknown youth] if a bone should
be brought on a dish in his presence, not to attempt breaking it, for
there was a youth in the king's household to whom every marrow-
bone was due, and that if one should be broken against his will, its
weight in red gold should be given him, or battle in single combat, and
that he* was the fighter of a hundred. " That is good," said the other,
" when this will be given I shall do my duty." He stopped not till a
bone was brought* on a dish to him, and he put a hand on each end of
it, and broke it between his two fingers, and afterwards ate its marrow
and flesh. All beheld this and wondered at it. The hero to whom
the marrow was due was told of this occurrence, and he rose up in
great anger, and his heroic fury was stirred up to be revenged of the
person who had violated his privilege, and ate what to him was due.
When the other had perceived this he flung^ the bone at him, and it
passed through his forehead and pierced his brain, even to the centre
of his head. The king's people and his household rose up to slay
him in revenge for it ; but he attacked them, as attacks the hawk a
flock of small birds, and made a great slaughter of them, so that their
dead were more numerous than their living, and the living among
them fled. He came again*, and sat at the same poet's shoulder, and
the king and queen were seized with awe of him, when they had seen
his warlike feats, and his heroic rage and champion fury roused. But
he told them that they had no cause to fear him unless the household
should again return into the house. The king said that they should
not return. He then took his golden helmet off" his head, and fair
were his visage and countenance, after his blood had been excited
by the fiiry of the battle.

The

rally written and pronounced aptp in the it is pronounced a pfpc. It is probable
modem Irish, but in some parts of Munster that the ancients pronounced it oo pioipi.

Qr ci ben pij bpecan glac ocup lam iri ojldij, ocuf bui '5 a
peicem co paoa, ap ba Tnaccnu^ao mop le in pamne opDa ac con-
naipc pd meop in milco, ap ni cainic pop ralmain pamne a mac-
pamla, na cloc ba pepp oloai^ m cloc 00 pala ann, Ocup po
lappacc m pijan ]x:ela in painne Do'n laech anaicniD. Qcbepc
pum ppip m pijam, ip ajum araip pepin 00 pala m pamne .1. a^ mac
Obeio aj pij * * * * . Conao ann appepc pi.

Canap canjaip a laich loip,

ce rue Duic m pamne oip,

no ca cfp a]^ a capja ?

mo chm each pa comapba.
"^om acaip pein 00 bi pm,

uj mac Obem mjancaij;

ip amlaiD ppich pamDe in pip,

aj laec a comlann oenpip.
Q t>epim-pi piucpa De,

ip oepb lem 'p ip aipice,

pceirh mo cpaiDe co bpdch m-bdn,

a^uo bechpam a macan. Can.

Ocup po pd^aib in pamne a^um-pa in can ac bac pepm. Oc

cuala umoppo m pi^an pin, ]io buail a bapa, ocup po cuaipc a h-ucc,

ocup po pcpib a h-agaiD, ocup do pao a callaD pigname popp m

ceinio 1 piaonaipi caich, ocup 00 paO a pafb juil epci lap pm. Cib

pill a pijan? ol each. Nm. ol pi, mac po n-ucup no'n pij, ocup do

Decaio uaim acd picic m-bliaoam ann anopa, Do pojlaim jaiy^ceD

peacnon m Domain, ocup ip aici po bui m painne pil im laim m

ocldij ucuD. Ddij DO biuppa aicne paip, ap ip ocum pein po buf 1

copac, CO puc m mac laip h-e m can po imtij uaim.

Ocup

^ Obeid. — This is evidently a fictitious ^CaHad, — calUxo. — This word is now
character, and introduced as such by the obsolete in the modem Irish language, but
writer. it is preserved in the Erse, and is explain-

The wife of the king of Britain saw the palm and hand of the
youth, and viewed them for a long time, and she much admired the
golden ring which she saw on his hand, for there came not on earth
such a ring, or a stone better than the stone it contained. And the
queen asked the unknown hero the history of the ring. The hero
answered the queen : " This ring belonged to my own father, the son
of Obeid*^, king ♦♦♦♦." And she said :

Queen. — " Whence hast thou come, O great hero !

Who has given thee the golden ring ?

Or what is the country from which thou hast come ?

My love is upon every one who bears thy mark."
Hero. — " My own father had this ringy

The son of the wonderful Obeid ;

And the source whence the champion's ring was obtained

Was from a hero in single combat,"
Queen. — " I say unto thee of it,

It is certain, it is positive.

My heart is wearied for ever,

From viewing thee, O youth."

" And he left me the ring after his death," said the hero. When
the queen heard this she wrung her hands, and struck her breast, and
tore her face, and cast her royal " callad*" into the fire in the presence
of all, and she then screamed aloud. " What means this, O queen?"
said all. " It is plain," said she, " a son whom I brought forth** for the
king, and who went away from me twenty years ago, to learn feats of
arms throughout the world, had the ring which is on the hand [finger]
of yonder youth, for I recognize it, as it was I myself that had it first,
until the son took it with him, when he went away from me."

And

ed by Shaw as signifpng a cop, a wig^ &c. ^ Brought forth. — Tllac po n-ucup oo'n
It is not unlike the Irish coflle, a cowl, piy would be written in the modem Irish
{cueuUtut\ or the English cawL mac do pujaf oo'n pi^.

IRISH ABCH. 80C. 6. L

Ocuy po jab pop lam-comaipc moip ay a airle |*in, ctiniaoepb
leo CO ii-eibelaOy Tnirie pajbao pupcacc po ceooip. Ueic pium
lapum 1 compocup Do'n ptgam, ocup acbepc ppia, Dia n-ocpnnca
pun popm-pa, a pis<in, ol pe, po inoepaino pcela Do mic ouic. Ro
gell pi CO n-a luja, co n-oinjneao. FTlipi Do mac, ol pe, a pi;s^n,
ocup ip me oeacaiD uaic Do poglami jaipceo cimcell in beara.
Ni po cpeio pi pm, gu pa oech a plinnen oeap. Cio pm, a pijan,
ol pe. Nin, ol pi, in can po imnj mo mac uaim, Do panup gpdmne
oip po bapp a plmDem Deip, do pen uaipe ocup Do comapra paip.
ITlapa cupa mo mac, po jebpa pm inDac. pecaiD lapum, ocup
puaip an comajiDa amail po paio, ocu]» po bua^l a bapa do piDipi,
cpi a mac eolchaipe Do recc ocup appepc, ip cpuaj m gnim po
b'ail Duib Do Denam a pij .1. ap n-oen mac a n-Dip Do mapLaD cen
cmaiD DOC muinncip, ocup po aipneiD amail pop puaip an comapba
pempaiDce paip. Ni po cpeiD in pij cup baD h-e a mac no beich
anD. CiD na cpeiDe a n-abaip m pijan, a pig bpecan? ol ConjaU
Qcbeppa ppic a aDbop, ol in pig. baDupa pechcup ocup Dail
mop imum ip in Dun pa lap n-imcecc mo mic uaim, conup paca
buiDin moip cujam: ceD laec a Im; oen ojlach pempu ocup pole
puao paip ; ip e ta coipec Doib. lappaijcep pcela Dib, appepc
m c-oglac puaD ucuD s^p ba mac Dam-pa h-e, ocup gup ba cujam
ramie, lappacr each Dim-pa m ba pfp- pm, ocu]* ni capDup nach
ppegpa poppo, ace po paemu]* a beic 'na mac Dam, ap na cipca
ppim plaiciup o anpaDaib bpecan. Ocup lappaijim a amm De.

Qcbepc

^ / will tell thee l^o inoefaino would ing, prosperity, success, or happiness ;"

be written in the modern Irish 00 but it appears from the application of the

inneopumn. It is the subjunctive form term in the text, and from other examples

of the verb mnipim, I tell, or relate. of its use, to be found in the best Irish

J As an atmdet, — ^Sean uaipe, which MSS., that it also means an amulet, or anj-

literally means, the luck of an hour, is ex- thing which was believed to insure luck

plained by P. Connell, in his M8. Die- or success, or bring about a lucky hour,

tionary, " transitory or temporal bless- ^ If thou be, — Hldfa b used in the best

1 And she proceeded After this to wring her h^nds so violently-, that
they thought she would die, unless she should get immediate relief. He
[the unknoAvn youth] afterwards went ovei; nep,r the queen, and said
V> her, " If thou wilt keep my secret, O quefen, I will tell: thee* news of
^hy son." • She promised on her oath that she would keep the secret.
" I am thy son," said he, " O queen! and it .is J that went away from
thee to leam feats of arms around the world." She believed him
not, until she looked at his right shoulder. " What is that for, O
queen?" said he. " It is not difficult," said she. " When my son
went away from me, I put a grain of gold under the top of his right
shoulder as an amulet^ and a mark upon him. If thou be'' my son, I will
find this in thee." She then looked, and found the mark as she had said ;
and she wrung her hands again, for the return of her lamented son,
and she said, " Pitiful is the deed thou hast desired to do, O king,
namely, to have the only son of us both killed without any crime by
thy people," and she told how she had found the mark above men-
tioned upon him. The king did not believe that it was his son who
was present ** Why dost thou not believe all that the queen says, O
king of Britain ?" said Congal. " I will tell thee the reason," repUed the
king. " After the departure of my son from me, I was on one occasion
in this palace with a large assembly about me, and I saw a large troop
approaching me : one hundred heroes was their number, and one youth
was before them with red hair ; he was their chieftain. They were
asked the news, and the red-haired youth said that he was a son of
mine, and that it was to me he came. All asked me if this were true,
but I made them no answer, but agreed that he was my son, in order
that die warriors of Britain might not oppose my reign. And I asked
him his name. He replied that his name was Conan (for that was the

name

and most ancient Irish MSS., for the mo- if, and the assertive verb if, and signifies
dem md'f , which is compounded of m6, literally, m esaev or «i eauL

Qcbepc pum gup ba Condn a amm; uaip ba Conan amm m ceo
mic bui ocum-|Ki, ocup po paioiupa ppip, cuaipc bpecan oo caba>pc,
ocup cecc a cino blmona oom* paigio. lap nabapach bum Dm ip
m oail ceona, ac ciam buioin moip ele cugainn; ceo laec a Im
pein, oglac pempu, ocup pole pmo paip. lappaijic in pip pcela
oe, acbepc pum m ceona, jup ba mac oam-pa h-e, ocup ba Conan a
ninm. Ocup appepcpa ppip, cuaipc bpecan oo cup, map m ceona.
Ip in cpep laa umoppo ac ciam buioin n-Ofmoip aile cugainO, moo
oloap cac buioen oile; cpi ceo laec a Im. Ojlac cpucach pempu,
ailli oo laecaib m oomain; pole oono paip. Cic cugamo lap pm,
ocup appepc cumao mac oam-pa, ocup cumao Conan a comainm.
Qppepcpa m ceona ppip; ocup }y aipe pm, a Congail, olin pig, nac
cpeioim-pi cumao h-e in laec ucuo mo mac, ap m cpiup pin oo pdb
56 im agaio. Ip eao ip coip ann, ol Gonial, oia cipac in cpiap
pm oo*n oun, compac 001b ocup oo'n laec ucuc ap jalaib oen-pip,
ocup cipe 01b cf app, a beic Va mac ajuc-pa. Ip ceao lim, ol

m P15.

Qnaic ano m aoaig pin, ocup epjip Conan Rod co moch
lap na bdpach, ap ip e ba mac oilep oo'n pij, ocup ceic 00
oecpin in c-ppoca, boi 1 compocup Oo'n oun, ocup bui aj paipcpin
pop nellaib aeoip, ocup appepc ac cim nel pola op cino Conam
RuaiO, ocup nel pola op cino Conam Pino, ocup nip pil op cmo
Conam OumO; ocup a oee mme, ol pe, cpeo beipiup Conan Donn
app cen cuicim lim-pa? ap iplim cuicic in 01 Chonan aile. Conao
ann appepc:

Qc C1U cpiap mileo 'pa mag,
CO n-eippeo n-dlamo n-mgnao,

' Th£ men, — In pip, now always writ- singular form of the article, is found join-
ten na ftp. It is curious that in very an- ed to nouns in the plural number,
cient and correct MSS«, in, which is the <° Greater than, — Hloo oloap, would be

name of the first son I had), and I then told him to make a circuit
of Britain, and to come to me at the end of a year. On the next day,
as we were at the same assembly, we saw another large troop ap-
proaching us ; their number was one hundred, and there was a youth
before them having fair hair. The men* asked the news of him, and
he replied that he was my son, and that his name was Conan. And
I told him in like manner to make the circuit of Britain. On the
third day we saw a very large troop, greater than either of the pre-
ceding^; three hundred heroes their nimiber. There was a fair-formed
youth before them, the fairest of the heroes of the world, with brown
hair. He came on to us, and said that he was a son of mine, and
that his name was Conan. I told him the same ; and it is for this reason,
Congal," said the king, " that I do not believe that yon hero is my
son, for the other three had told me a falsehood to my face." " The
most proper thing to be done," said Congal, " would be, should the
other three come to the palace, to get them and this hero to fight
in single combat, and whichever of them should come off victorious
to adopt him as thy son." " I am willing to do so," said the king.

They remained so for that night, and early in the morning Conan
Rod, — ^who was the king's real son, — rose and went out to view the
stream which was near the palace, and he viewed the clouds on the
sky, and said, " I see a cloud of blood over Conan the Red, and a
cloud of blood over Conan the Fair, but none over Conan the Brown-
haired, and O Gods of heaven, said he, what will save Conan the
Brown-haired from falling by me ? For the other two Conans shall fall
by me ;" and he said:

" I see three heroes in the plain,

With suits beautiful, wonderful.

There

written, in the modem Irish, mo ind. In though it is stated by the modem Gram-
ancient MSS. long vowels, especially those marians that this is contrary to the genius
of the broad class, are often doubled, of the Irbh language.

P'l uaipcib, ppi h-uaip pepp,

nel na pola pop-oepjji.
Nel pola op cino Conam Ruaio,

ip oo ben a bimbuaio;

m ceona op cmo Conam pinn

m eppio alamo impmn.
Nip jab claioem, mp gab pciar,

mp jab eippeo cpaera cpiar,

mp jab jaipceb ip jmm jlann,

laec nd ppeijepamo comlonn.
Ni uil op cmo Conam Dumo

nel na pola pop pejaim,

Oepjpac-pa mo lamn i n-oiu,

pop na Conanaib ac ciu. Qc ciu.

Qr CI lap pm buiom moip cuici ip m opocac, bui rapp m pp"r,

ocup ac ci oen laech puao mop pempu, ocup aicnip h-c. Ocup

appepc ppip, cia Idn buo pepp lac ajuo oo nf no callao popp m

opochac pa ? Qppepc pum, ba h-e a Ian oip ocup apjaic. pip,

ol pe, nioac mac-pa oo'n pi j, ache mac cepoai, no pip po jnf nach

aicoi eicm oi op, no Oi apjao, ocup po jebapa bdp mo, pcpaic

comlann lapum, ocup mapbrap Conan Ruao ann. Qppepc mac

in pij, .1. Conan Roo, ppi muinncip m pip pop mapb, oia n-irjm]*eo

neac uaib oam, in pip in aichne oo paoup popp in laech, po amic-

pmo pib. pip, ol piac, ni capo neac pop bic aicne bdpa pepp ma

m aicne oo paoaip pop dp cijepna, ap ba mac cepOai a cuaipcepc

bpecan h-e, ocup camic cpia bopppao n-aicenca, co n-ebaipc co

m-bao mac o*on pij h-e, o po cualai a beic cen mac oca.

Cic

^ Over the bridge. — ^t>pocac is now ge- giyen as such in Cormac's Glossary. It vas

nerallj written Opoiceao, and the word is probably applied by the ancient Iribh to a

usually applied to a stone bridge. It is un- wooden bridge, as we have no evidence that

questionably a primitive Irish word, and is they built any bridges with stone arches ;

There is over them, for an angry hour,

A cloud of deep red blood.
A cloud of blood over Conan the Red,

Which to him forebodes defeat ;

The same over Conan the Fair

Of the beautiful battle dress.
There has not taken sword, there has not taken shield,

There has not taken battle dress to defeat a chief,

There has not followed chivalry and valorous deeds,

A hero whose challenge I would not accept. .
There is not over Conan the Brown-haired

A cloud of blood that I can see :

I shall redden my blades to-day

Upon the Conans whom I see."
After this he beheld a large troop coming towards him over the
bridge" which was across the stream, and he saw one large red-haired
hero before them, whom he recognized. And [ Conan Rod] said to him,
" Of what wouldst thou wish to have this bridge full ?" The other re-
plied, " of gold and silver." " It is true," said the other, " that thou art
not a son of the king, but the son of some artisan who constructs
something of gold or silver ; and thou shalt die here." They engaged
in single combat, and Conan the Red was slain. And the king's son,
Conan Rod, said to the people of the man whom he had slain : *' If
any of you will tell whether I have judged truly of the hero, I will
spare you." " Truly," said they, " no one ever judged another better
than thou hast judged our lord ; for he was the son of an artisan from
North Britain, and hearing that the king had no son, he came, tlirough
pride of mind, and said that he was the king's son."

The

but they built wooden bridges at a very the Library of the R. L A.] p. 508, where
early period. See Duald Mac Firbis's Pedi- he mentions the erection of Droichead na
grees of the ancient Irish families, [MS. in Feirsi, and Droichead Mona Daimh.

Cic lapom m t)apa pep oib ^up in opochac, ociip po mppai^
pium 6e m ceona. Qppepc pum gup ba h-e a Ian oe buaib, ocup
jpoijib, ocup cdmcib. pfp, ol pe, moac mac-pa oo'n pig icip, ace
mac bpugao, ocup pip rocaio ocup conaich. 8cucai6 cuici lapum
ocup ben a ceann oe; ocup lappaijip Oia muinncip, in ba pip m
aicne. pip ol lac.

Qc ciac umoppo in rpep m-buioin cucai ; oen laec mop i copac
na buione pin, co cpi ceo laec ina pappao. Ceic Conan ma
coinne popp m opocac ceona, ocup lappaijip oe, cia Idn ba oeach
laip aici t)o nf no rallao popp in opochac ceona. Qppepc pum
jup ba h-e a Ian oo laecaib, ocup cupaoaib, pa oen jnim, ocup
oen gaipceo ppip pem. pfp pm, ol Conan, ac mac pig-pa, ocup
mt>ac mac oo pij bpecan. pip, ol peipium, nioam mac-pa oo pij
bpecan, ace am mac oo pij LochlanO: ocup m'ataip po mapbra
1 pill, la bpacaip oo buoem, cpia ranjnacc, ocup po moappupcap
mipi lap mapbao m'arap. Ocup oc cualai pig bpecan cen mac
oca, canag pop a amup o'pajbail cutanea ploig ocup pocpaioe
lim, 00 oi^ail m* arap. Ocup ip e pin ip pip ann, ocup ni coimpec
ppic-pa imon plairiup nac ouraij oam. Do jniac a n-oip pio
ocup copu ano pm, ocup cecaic ip in oun 50 h-aipm a m-bui pig
bpecan ocup Gonial, ocup mnipic a pcela ann lech pop leic. ba
maic la each uile m peel pm; ocup appepc om m pig, 00 beppa
cuilleo oepbca popp m mac pa. Cm oepbao? ap Congal Claen.
Niri. ol pe; oun pil ajuni-pa a n-imel bpecan, .1. D6n oa lacha a

amm

^ Same valour and prowess with myself. —
This was the true test of royal descent
O'Dea, chief of Kinel-Fearmaic, in Tho-
mond, was wont to say that he would ra-
ther have the full of a castle of men of the
family of O'Hiomhair, now Ivers, than a
castle full of gold. Questions of this kind

are very frequently put in old Irish legends
to different persons, to test their disposi-
tions, of which see remarkable instances
in the Life of St. Caimin of Inis Cealtra,
Colgan Acta SS. ad Mart 26, p. 746.

P King of Lochlann, — The ancient Irish
writers always called Denmark and Nor-

The second man came on to the bridge, and he asked him the
same : he said he would rather have the bridge full of cows, horses,
and flocks, than of anything else. " True," observed the other, " thou
art not the son of the king, but the son of a brughaidh [farmer], or
of a man of riches and wealth." He then sprang upon him, and cut
off his head, and asked his people if he had judged truly. " Truly,"
they replied.

They soon saw a third troop coming towards them: there was
one great hero in the front of this troop, having three hundred along
with him. Conan went to meet him at the same bridge, and asked,
" of what wouldst thou wish this bridge full ?" He answered, " /
would wish it full of heroes and champions of the same valour and
prowess with myself °." " True," observed Conan, " thou art the son
of a king, but not of the king of Britain." " True," said the other, ** I
am not a son of the king of Britain, but I am a son of the king of
Lochlann'* : and my father having been treacherously killed by his own
brother, they banished me immediately after killing my father ; and
having heard that the king of Britain had no son, I came to him to
solicit aid in hosts and forces from him, to take revenge for my father.
This is the truth, and I will not contend with thee about a kingdom
which is not due to me." Both then made peace and a treaty with
each other, and they repaired to the palace where the king of Britain
and Congal were, and there told their stories on both sides. All
were pleased at this news ; but the king said, " I will impose more
proof on this son." "What proof?" asked Congal Claen. "It is
not difficult," said he : "I have a fort on the borders of Britain called

the

way by this name. Duald Mac Firbis, the inhabitants of Norwegia, by pionn-toc-

last of the hereditary antiquaries of Lecan, lannai^, L e. white or fair Lochlanns. See

says, that the ancient Irish writers call ifoc /Vr6M*«PA/^ee« (Marquis of Drogh-

the inhabitants of Dania by the name DuB- eda's copy), p. 364; also O'Flaherty's

Coclannai^, L e. Black Lochlanns, and the Ogygia, part iiL c. 56, and O'Brien's Irish

IRISH ABCH. SOC. 6. M

amm ; a cd t>in cloc ampa ip m oun f m, ocup m ^luaipeann ppi

bpcij, ocup m pcoann pep pingaile a cogluapacc ndch a cogbail ;

ocup a car Da each oen oara ocum-pa ip m oun ccona, ocup m

pitaic pa neac po jni 501 co bpdch ; ocup ciajpa jiip in Dun pm

oia t>epbat> popc-pa m pip acbepi ppim. Do jnichep pamlaiD

uile: cojbaib Condn in cloch, ocup picaio na h-eocu pot; uc Dixie

m pig:

Cloch a cain-D6n Da laca,

ip piu a comrpom D'op Dara,

ni jluaipenn le bpeig cen bpach,

ip nf gluaipenD pmjalach.
TTl' eich-pi pem ip peppDi a n-^nai,

CO bpac ni gluaipic le gai,

jluaipic le pfpmDe pmD,

ip luac dgapca a n-epim.
Dm pip m buD cu mo mac,

a cuingiD calma comnapc,

pacaD 1 n-Diu amac 50 moch,

gup m Dun a puil mo cloch.

Cloch.

dnolaiD Con^al lap pm ]*loi5 Saxan ocup a pij, .1. S^P'^^ ^^^

Rojaipb, ocup ploij na ppamjce ocup a pi^, .1. Daipbpe, mac

Dopnnmaip, ocup ploij bperan pa Conan Rod, mac 6achach

Qmjcip, ocup pipu Qlban pa ceirpe macaib 6achach buiDe, .i.

QeD

Dictionary in t^oe^LocHL ANN ACH, where the it is not easy now to determine,

name Loehlann is explained land 0/ lakes, p A noble sUme, — This stone was some-

° The Fort of the Two Lakes. — Dun oa what similar to the Lia Fail and other ma-

lacha The editor has not been able to gical stones of the Irish Kings,

find any name like this, or synonymous ^^Garbh^thesonqfEogarhh^ — ^Le. Rough,

with it, in any part of Wales. Whether the son of Very Rough ; he is evidently a

it is a mere fictitious name invented by fictitious personage,

the writer, or a real name then existing, ■* Dairhhre^ the son ofDommhar. — Must

the Fort of the two Lakes^ In this fort is a noble stone*", which
does not move at falsehood, and a murderer cannot move or raise it;
and I have in the same fort two steeds of one colour, which would
never run under one who tells a falsehood. Do thou come to this
fort to prove on thee whether what thou tellest me be true." This
was accordingly done : Conan raised the stone, and the steeds ran
under him. And the king said:

" A stone which is at Dun-da-lacha

Is worth its weight of bright gold,

It moves not at falsehood without betraying it.

And a murderer cannot move it.
My steeds, too, of beautiful appearance,

Never will move at falsehood,

But they move with fair truth,

Their motion is quick and agile.
To prove whether thou art my son,

brave puissant champion !

1 will go forth early this day

To the fort in which my stone is.

A stone," &c.

After this Congal assembled the forces of Saxonland with their

king Garbh, the son of Rogarbh"*, and the forces of France, with

their king Dairbhre, the son of Dommhar', and the forces of Britain

under Conan Rod', and the men of Alba under the four sons of

Eochaidh

be also oonsidered as a fictitioaB personage, * Conan Bod. — Conan appears to have
as there was no king of France of this been very common among the ancient Bri-
xuime, or of any name of which it could be tons, as the proper name of a man, but no
A translation, at this period. Dagobert, son prince Conan is recorded as having lived
of Clotaire IL, was king of France in the exactly at this period, and we must there-
year 638, when the Battle of Magh Bath fore conclude, that this Conan was an ideal
was fought personage.

Qet> n» cppit) uaine, ocup Conjal ment), ocuf Suibne, ocuf Dom-
nall bpeac, a pinnpep. Do bcpc laip uile in lin ploj i^m^ co
capopac car Do Domnall co pepaib Gpcnn ime, pop TTluij Rach,
CO rapat) ap ccTin eruppu, ocup co copchaip Coiijal Claen ann.
Qp ice pm cpi buaoa m cacha, .1. maioni pia n-Domnall ma
pipinnc pop Conjal ina 501, ocup Suibne 00 oul ppi jealcacc ap a
met) DO laioib 00 Icpaig, ocup m pep 01 pepaib Qlban Do Dul Dia
cip pepm cen lumj, cen baipc, ocup laec aile 1 Icanmam De.

Ro mapb Dm Cellach, mac ITlailcaba, Conan Rod, .1. mac pij
bpecan pop ^alaib oen-pip, ocup po mapbra Dm na piju ocup na
coipij olceana cpi nepc comlamD, ocup cpia pipinDi plato m pij,
.1. DomnaiU, mic Qeoa, mic Qmmipech ; ocup cpia Tlepr m cac-
mileD ampa, .1. Celiac, mac ITlailcaba, .1. mac bpachap Domnaill:
ap ni po mapbaD laech na cac-mileD Do clannaib Neill ip m each
nach Di^elaD Cellach cpia nepc comlamD ocup imbuailci. Co nd
cepna d' Ullcaib app ace pe ccD laec namd, po eloDap ap in
apmui^ pa pepDomun, mac Imomain, j. laec ampa d' Ullcaib in
ci pepoomun. Ni cepna Dm D* allmapacaib ayy ctcc DubDiaD
Dpui, DO DeacaiD ppi poluamain ap in cac, ocu]» ni po aipip co

h-Qlbam,

^ Three Buadha. — These three remark-
able occurrences, which took place at the
Battle of Magh Rath, are also mentioned
in an ancient MS. in the Stowe Library, of
which Dr. O'Conor gives a full description
in the Stowe Catalogue, and which was pub-
lished by Mr. Petrie, in his History and
Antiquities of Tara Hill, p. i6, «/ sequent
But Dr. O^Conor has entirely mistaken the
meaning of the passage, as I shall prove
in the notes to the Battle of Magh liath.

" T/te going mad ofSuibhne, — A distinct

story was written on the madness -of this
Suibhne, giving an account of his eccen-
tricities and misfortunes, from the period
at which he fled, panic-stricken, from the
Battle of Magh Rath, till he was killed by
a clown at Tigh Moling, now St MuUins,
in the county of Carlow. A copy of this
story, which is entitled BuiU Shuihhne^
L e. Suibhne's Madness, is preserved, post-
£xed to the Battle of Magh Rath, in Na
60 of the coUection of Messrs. Hodges and
Smith, Dublin. It is a very wild and ro-

Eochaidh Buidhe, namely, Aedh of the Green Dress, Congal Menn,
Suibhne, and their senior [i. e. eldest brother] Domhnall Brec. And
he brought all these forces with him, and gave battle to Domhnall
and the men of Erin around him, on Magh Rath, where there was a
slaughter of heads between them, and where Congal Claen was slain.
These were the three "Buadha"' [i. e. remarkable events], which took
place at the battle, viz., i. The victory gained by Domhnall in his
truth over Congal in his falsehood, a. The going mad of Suibhne,
in consequence of the number of poems written upon him"; and,
3. The return home of a man of the men of Alba to his own country,
without a boat or barque, with another hero clinging to him.

Cellach, the son of Maelcobha, slew Conan Rod, the son of the
* king of Britain, in single combat, and all the other kings and chieftains
[who had assisted Congal] were slain by dint of fighting, and through
the truth of the prince, Domhnall, the son of Aedh, son of Ainmire,
and through the puissance of the illustrious warrior, Cellach'', the
son of Maelcobha, that is, the son of king Domhnall's brother : for
there was not a hero or champion of the race of Niall slain in the
battle, whose death was not revenged by Cellach by dint of battle and
fighting. So that there escaped not of the Ultonians from the battle
but six hundred heroes only, who fled from the field of slaughter
under the conduct of Ferdoman"*, the son of Imoman, a renowned
hero of the Ultonians. There escaped not one of the foreigners
save Dubhdiadh, the Druid, who fled panic-stricken from the battle,

and

mantic fttoiy, but is yaluable, as preserving for twelve years, as monarchs of Ireland,

the ancient names of many remarkable that is, from the year 642 to 654.
places in Ireland, and as throwing curious ^ Ferdomait, son of Imoman^ is not

light upon ancient superstitions and cus- mentioned in the Irish Annals, nor is his

toms. name to be found in the genealogies of the

^ CellacL — This Cellach afterwards Clanna Iludhraighe, though he seems to

reigned conjointly with his brother Ck>nall be a real historical character.

h-Qlbam, cen luin^, cen baipc, ocup laech mapb i lenmain om
Icach-coif; Daij po cuip Gonial jlap i cental inp ccc n-oif Oia
Tnuinncip, a^ cup in cara, co nd reicheao neach t>ib o cell, amail
DO clanoa Conaill ocup €050111, rpia popcon^aip Conaill, nnic
baeDain, mic Nint>et>a, m pi^-milet) ompa. Como amlaiD fin po
cuippcc in each.

Conao pieoD Dfim na n-56D, ocup rucair coco TTIui^e Rach
conice pin lap pip.

* So far the true oeeounL — This is such remarks, to show where one ended and

the usual manner of terminating ancient another commenced. — See the conclusion

Irish stories. The reason evidently is to of the tale of Deirdre, in the Transactions

prevent mistake, as the old MSS. are so of the Gaelic Society of Dublin, voL i. p.

closely written that it would not be easy 134, where Mr. Theophilus O'Flanagan has

to distinguish their several tracts without written the following note on this subject:

and who made no delay till he reached Alba with a dead hero tied
to one of his feet ; for Congal had tied every two of his people to-
gether in the battle with a fetter, that the one might not flee from
the other; and the races of Conall and Eoghan did the same by
order of Conall, the son of Baodan, son of Ninnidh, the renowned
royal champion. And thus they fought the battle.

So far the true account* of the Banquet of Dun na n-gedh, and the
cause of the Battle of Magh Rath.

^^Suck is the sorrowful tale of the children are so closely written, that it is not easy

of UenaehJ*^ — '* This is a manner of termi- to distinguish their several tracts without

nating our stories in old manuscripts. The such marks ; and next, it is suggested,

obvious cause is to prevent mistake, as that one reading is not sufficient to appre-

well as to call attention back to the poetic ciate the value of a composition."
or historical detail The old manuscripts

*" B^^^^i^^-

« « ^

cauh mui^he Racb,

IRISH ABCU. 80C. 6. * N COCll

ca.'Ch mui^iie Rach.

QID pe pilit) puppunnuiD ; liccp pe each comap-
bup; ceibeabpecupcinorceoail; puapafc pe peap
pupojpa. Conab lac ffn na ccirpe coriipocail
cuibbi,cumaibi,chiallcapcceacha,poopDai5eaDap
ujDaip 1 n-up-nip gacha h-elaona, ocup j cinnpceaDal cacha
cpeapa. Qcc cena ip c pac poiUpigci na pocal peiceamanca

pileab

The initial letter C is taken from the quote the prorerbs and dark sayings of

vellamMS. intheLibraiyofTnnityCol- their poeta as arguments of wisdom, but

lege, Dublin, from which the text of this many of these sayings are so obscure to us

tale has been transcribed. The Society of the present day, that we cannot see the

are indebted to Dr. AquiUa Smith for the wisdom which they are sud to have so

drawing from which the wood-cut was en- happily communicated to our ancestors.
graved. ^Animating bard. — The word puppunnuo

■ A poem. — This introduction to the is explained in O'Clery's Glossary, by the

battle of Magh Rath is very obscure, and modem words lapan no poillpiu ja6, L e.

seems rather irrelevant, like the proems to light or explain, and in a vellum MS.

to many other ancient productions. The in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin,

ancient Irish writers were accustomed to (U. i. 16.) p. 551, by poiUpiu^n only.

THE BATTLE OF MAGH RATH.

: Poem' for the animating^ bard. A letter for every
succession. ConBideration before commencing. De-
velopment* for a proclaimer: — These are the four fit,
* meet, and expressive maxims which authora have
[ ordered to be placed at the bcfflnning of every com-
^ position, and in the proem of every battle-narrative.
And the reason tiiat these scientific words of the poets are exhibited

It is used by Duald Mac Firbis in the is modernized puan^'o »nd f"T^°'°' "
sense of lighting, igniting, kindling, m CCp not given in any Irish Dictionary except
ij- < no Bioo 05 puppjunab coinole op Peter Connell's, in wliich it is explained
bJalaiB CXeoo, inic Ctipc Ui Ruaipc, "thedivulgingofaflecret;" andyuapain-
an can no bio aj Fiecioltocc, "foritwaa eac, an adjective formed from it, ib ex-
he was used to %At the caudle before Aedh, plained " exposing, divulging." However,
the sou of Art O'Rourke. when he was from the many examples of its use which
playing at chess." — Lib. GeneaL p, 218. occur throughout this tale, and in other
' Devdopment. — puaptuc pe peop p"- ancient tracts, it is clear that it means more
pojpa: The word puaraic, which in Mac properly, "developing, unfolding, eluci-
Morissy's copy of this tale (made iu 1732), dating, or settiug forth."
Na

pileab fin, b'aifncip ocup o'piabnujab ai^nib ocuf illpuine na
Ti-05-bpiarhap n-arhnap, n-imcubaib, n-njDapOa pin.

Laib pe piliD puppunnuiD, po paiDpimap pomainD, inann pon
ocup lai6, no popcub, no pichleapj, ip Dip ocuy» ip oligeab o'eicpib
ocu]* o'pileaoaib o'aipneip m aipoib oipeaccaip, ocup 1 locaib
Ifnmapa, ocup 1 comoalaib coicceanna, o'uapaic ocup o'labnugub
a popaip ocup a pilioeachra ap na pileoaib.

Licep pe each comapbup, 00 paiopeamap pomainD, inano pon
ocupm ceolireap o'a g-coTnlanai^reapcomapbuple rupcbail jacha
nnnpceoailjocup up-cupcachah-abiopech; bah-eabah-oinm-piDe
Q cojaiDe, cpe-uillech, cpep a ruicreap m CpinoioCpe-peappan-
ach; ocup ip uime po h-oiponeb 1 n-up-rup5achah-aibil)pech,ap in
ceo Dull po cpuchaijeaprap Dia o'd ouilib, ip o Q po h-ammni-
jeab .1. amjel a ainm; ocup in ceo ouine po cpuchaigeab Ono ip
o Q po h-ainmnigeab, .1. Qborh a ainm pein; ocup ono ba up-cup
uplabpa Qoaimh, map poipgleap in r-u^oap.

Qopaim, aopaim cu-pa a De,
ceo 5UC Qoaim, jlan a jne ;
ag aicpin Gba aille,
ann 00 pinne a ceo gaipe.

Cebeab

^ Bhapiody. — Ricleopj: this word is
not given in any published Dictionary,
but it is explained by Peter Connell, " a
kind of extemporaneous verse." It ap-
pears from various specimens of it given
in Irish romantic tales, that it was a short
rhapsody in some kind of metre, gene-
rally put into the mouths of poets and
Druids while under the influence of the
Teinm Loeghdha or poetical inspiration.

^Assemblage In aipoib oipeaccaip,

modernized in Mac Morissy's copy to
1 n-apoaib oipeaccaip, i e. on heights or
hills of assembly. The word oipeaccap
is stUl used in the North of Ireland to de-
note an assembly or crowd of people. This
alludes to the meetings which the Irish
held on hills in the open air, to which re-
ference is frequently made in the old Eng-
lish Statutes. — See an extract from the
Privy Council Book (of 25 Eliz.), quoted
in Mr. Hardiman's Irish Minstrelsy, vol.

to view is, that the nature and various mysterious meanings of such
clear, pointed, and classical words might be stated and elucidated.

" A poem for the animatmg bard," which we said above, means a
poem, or ode, or rhapsody**, which is meet and lawful for bards and
poets to recite on hills of assemblage*, and places of meeting, and at
general convocations, to exhibit and display^ their knowledge and
poetry.

"A letter for every succession," which we said above, means
the first letter, by which succession is completed for raising every pro-
ject, and the beginning of every alphabet; its name is the excellent,
triangular A', by which is imderstood [i. e. symholized] the Trinity of
Three Persons ; and it was ordained that it should be placed at the
beginning of every alphabet, because the name of the first creature of
all the creatures which Grod created was written by this letter, viz.,
Angel; and the name of the first man that was created was represented
by this letter A, viz., Adam; and it was the first of Adam's speech, as
the author sets forth :

" I adore, I adore thee, O God,

Was the first speech of Adam of fair aspect.
On seeing the beautifiil Eva
He laughed his first laugh."

" Consideration

iL p. 1 59 : *' Item, he shall not assemble
the Queen's people upon kUU^ or use any
Iraghtes or parka upon hills,^^

f Display, — t)*ua]raic ocuf o'laonujao,
in Mac Morissy's copy more correctly
o'puafaoio ajup o*pia6nu^a6. In ancient
MSS. the initial p, when aspirated, is often
entirely omitted, as in the present in-
stances ; but this is not to be recommended,

as it disguises the radix or original form
of the word. This omission of the radical
letter is called oicneo copaij;, L e. initial
decapitation^ in Cormac's Glossary, and
other ancient philological Irish works.

s A, — It woidd appear from this, that
the author did not regard the Beluisniou
alphabet as original or authentic, as it be-
gins with the letter B.

Cebeab pe cup cinDpceaoail, po paibpeanmip pomaino, inant)
pon ocup ceD pmuamiuD cinDci caca cain^ni pe cupjbail caca
cinopseoail, oo peip map Do pmuain in pip-Dhia pop-opba pein na
peachr paip nimc, ocup na nae naem-jpaba, pep in n-oibpejub
pomeamail pe laiche.

puapaic pe peap pupojpa, oa paiDpeamaip pomaint), .i. cac
pellpamanracc imap bail ocup niap ooipceapcaip Dia a popop a
pfp-eolaip, o'aipneip ocup o'poillpiujab Do each 50 coirceann.

^umab lac-pein na ceirpe corh-pocail po h-opDaijeab m up-cup
caca h-elabna, ocup i ceD uapaiD caca cain^ni, ocup i cmnpceDal
caca cpepa. Uaip ni gnach rpeap jan cinnpceDal, na impeapan
jan uapaic, na opjain jan uppojpa, na uapal-cpep ^an aipigiu ;
ocup Dm ip oipi jba, aiseanca, imcubaib, Do'n ealabam pi, ocup ip
Dilep, Dinjbala, pep in rpep ruipmech cpen-poclac cojaibi pea,
laib D* uapaic ocup Da up)»annub, D' poilly^iugub ocup d' pupogpa ;
oip Dlijib Dan Dupgab, Dlijib piop poillpiujab, Dlfjib pai paep
plonnaD, Dlijib cpep cinnpgeDal. Cib cpa ace, ap eab ip rojbail
ocuy* ap CinnpceDal Do*n cpep amnup, imcubaib, u^Dapba, ollcrm-
anDa pa, imapbaib einij ocup enjnama ocup oipbeapca na h-6penn
D'impab, ocup D'imluab, ocup D'abmolab o pin amach bo beapca.

Oip

^ Constderation before commencing. — battle without a project." The word cinn-

CebeoD pe cup cinopceaoAil. The word pcecnxil is explained " design, project," in

rebeoD, considercUion, is not given in this Peter ConnelPs Dictionaxj. For a list of

sense in any Irish Dictionary, but it is the different kinds of stories among the

explained here by the modem word pmu- ancient Irish the reader is referred to a

ainiuo, to think or conceive. vellum MS. in the Library of Trinity Col-

* Setting forth Ceo-uapaio, more cor- lege, Dublin, (H. 3. 17.) p. 797, where it

rectly yrritten ceo-puapaoio in Mac Mor^ is stated that the Irish poets had three

issy's copy. — See Note f, supra, hundred and fifty stories which they re-

J Exordium Uaip ni ^ndc qieap 3011 peated before kings and chieftains.

cinnpceoal, *' for it is not usual to have a ^ Prophesied, — ^Caippnjeprac cocBala

" Consideration before commencing*," which we said above, means
the first conception of forming every rule for raising every project,
even as the true and glorious God himself conceived the seven bright
heavens, and the nine holy orders of angels^ before he entered upon
the prosperous work of six days.

" Development for a proclaimer," which we said above, means
every kind of knowledge which (jod distributed and poured out fix)m
the fountain of his true knowledge, for stating and explaining every
thing to all in general.

And these are the four maxims which were ordered to be placed
at the commencement of every composition, and in the first setting
forth* of every covenant, and in the beginning of every account of a
battle ; for it is not usual to have a battle described without an ex-
ordium^ a hosting without a preamble, or a noble battle without a
proem ; and it is just, natural, and proper in this scientific composi-
tion, and it is meet and becoming in this excellent, mighty-worded
battle, that poetry should set it oflF and animate it, thai knowledge
should explain and proclaim it ; for it is the province of poetry to
excite, of knowledge, to explain ; a noble ought to be nobly reported,
and a battle ought to have a design. Wherefore the design and
project of this lively, proper, classical, and poetical battle is to publish,
celebrate, and laud from henceforward the supporter of the hospita-
lity, valour, and noble deeds of Erin; for he was the prophesied'' ele^

vator

Uempac: ixcippnjeprac, signifies one
whose greatness, &a, had been predicted.
The Irish seem to have had prophecies
of this description among them from
the earliest dawn of their history, and
it appears that they were often influ-
enced by them in their public movements.
The saints, of the primitive Irish Church

were regarded as the greatest of their pro-
phets, but their Druids and poets were
also believed to have had the gift of pro-
phecy before the introduction of Christi-
anity ; for the Druids are said to have pre-
dicted the coming of Saint Patrick, Finn
MacCumhaill was believed to have foretold
the birth and great sanctity of Columbkill,

Oip ba h-e [»ein caippnseprac cocbala Cempac, ocuf iloanac
ilcleapac Uiy^nig, ocup blair-bile bopppaoac bpeag, cenn copnarha
ocup cabapra innpi lar-glome Gpenn, ap uaill ocup ap ojpa, ocup
ap erualanj eccpann, ocup ainplni ocup allmupac. ba h-e a co-
ihainm-piuni ocup a complonnao annpo, oip 0I1516 peancaib pen
eolup ocup poiceneol na n-oipeac ocup na n-aipo-pij o'aipneip,
ocup o'piaonujab, 00 beapbab, ocup 00 beiThniujob, le pinnpepaib
puaireanca, paep-clanOa ; oip aca ba abbap o na h-oipcep Ouinn
paep ploinnn poiceneoil na n-oipeac ocup na n-aipo-pi^ o'aipneip
im an inoup pin, .1. Do compag cerup, ocup 00 coriibluru^ab a
7;-caipDeapa pe peimeap na pijpaioe pempa, ocup 00 cuimniu^ao
a 5-capaopa o'a 5-clann-bui6nib ceneoil, pe h-aipneip a n-up-pcel
Dia n-eip,

their deceased ancestors and becoming ac-
quainted with their virtues and honour-
able transactions." — Preface to the Pedigree
of General Richard G* Donovan ofBawnla-
han, by John Collins ofMyroee, MS.

^Friendship ^Do cuiiiiniu^aD a 5-ca*

paopa, to commemorate ihevt friendship.
Though both copies agree in this, it is
neyertheless most likely that the text has
been corrupted, and that the original read-
ing was 00 cuimniu^D a n-oipbeopcc^
L e. to commemorate their noble deeds. This
story seems to have been written for the
O'Canannans or O'Muldorys, the direct
descendants of the monarch Domhnall, and
who were chiefs of the territory of Tip-
connell till the beginning of the twelfth
century, when they were put down by the
O'Donnells, who had been up to that time,
with few exceptions, only petty chiefs of
the territory of Cind Lughaeh, Another

and a Druid is introduced in the Book of
Fenagh as foretelling the celebrity of Saint
CaiUin and his church of Fenagh, in the
reign of Eochaidh Feidhlech, several cen-
turies before the saint was bom,

' Two recuons. — Oip ac6 od aoBop. —
A modem Irish antiquary has given better
reasons, for the utility of preserving fami-
ly history, in somewhat clearer language,
though much in the same style, in the
following words : — " That a genealogical
history of families has its peculiar use is
plain and obvious; it stimulates and ex-
cites the brave to imitate the generous ac-
tions of their ancestors, and it shames the
reprobates both in the eyes of others and
themselves, when they consider how they
have degenerated. Besides, the pedigrees
of ancient families, historically deduced,
recal past ages, and afford a way to those
immediately concerned of conversing with

vEtor of Tara ; the scientific, expert warrior of Uisnech, the proud-
blossomed tree of Bregia ; the head of the defence and support of the
fair-landed island of Erin, for his pride and bravery, and for his in-
tolerance of adventurers, strange tribes, and foreigners. His name
and surname \as also his genealogy^ shall be given here; for the
antiquary ought to declare and testify, prove and certify the ancient
history and family nobility of the princes and monarchs, by specifying
their august and noble ancestors ; for there are two reasons' for
which it is necessary for us to recount the noble surnames of the good
families of the chieftains and monarchs in this manner, namely, in
the first place, to unite and connect these families by their veneration
for the reigns of the kings who preceded them, and \secondly'], to
remind the tribes sprung from those kings of their friendship"^, by
rehearsing their noble stories after them.

What

family of great oelebritj, Mac Gillafinnen,
was also descended from this monarch,
and, till the fifteenth century, were chiefs
of Muintir Pheodachain, in the county of
Fermanagh, where they are still numerous,
but their name is Anglicised into Leonard,
which disguises not only their royal de-
gcenl, but even their Irish origin. That
the O'Canannans and O^Muldorys were
the chief lords of Tirconnell up to the year
1 197, when £achmarcach O'Doherty as-
sumed the chief sway, is proved by the
concurrent testimony of aU the Irish An-
nals, in which the battles, deaths, and
successions ofthe different princes of these
families are recorded; and by the Topogra-
phical Poem of O'Dugan, chief poet of Hy-
Many, who died in the year 1372, where
he speaks of those families as follows:

IRISH ARCH. SOG. 6. O

" Our journey is a journey of prosperity,
Let us leave the lively host of great Macha ;
Let us not refuse to wish good prosperity

to that people,
Let us make for the Cinel ConailL
They will come, — a journey of prosperity.
The inhabitants of that rugged land will

come
To meet us at the Cataract of Aedh (Easroe)
Which will be good luck to that people of

fiery aspect.
The O'Muldorys — if they were alive,
Would come ; but they will not come I
Without delay or slow assembly,
To meet us, as would the O'Canannans.
But these other will come — ^proud their lord,
The Clann Dalaigh of brown shields;
To them by a sway which has not decayed
Now belongs the hereditary chieftainship."

5ci cpaeb coibneapa ap cuibbe oo ceaf cnujab, no af oi]iceafa
D^puapafr, nd paep jeinealac poicencoil an laic-rhileab o'ap lab-
pamap cupjbail ocuf cinnpcecal ap o-rpeapa mao 50 o-rpafco,
.1. an pipen uapal, oipomje, a pocaip na pmearhna, ocupa lubjopc
na laecpaiDe, ocup a pperh-je^ ^aca plaiciupa, ima n-oiponeac
oipcacap Gpenn ocup Qlban in aen mat), .i. Domnall, mac Qeoa,
mic Qmmipec, mic Seona, mic Pepjupae Cennpooa, mic Conaill
^ulban, mic Neill Nai-jiallai^, im nac aipmiD ugoaip ace aipij
no aipt)-pi5a 50 h-Q6am n-oipoepc, n-il-clannac, o n-ainmm^cep
jac aen. Qp e an c-Q6am pm cennoacc cmDce, coicceann, com-
olucab caca cpaibe coibneapa, ocup ^nac-bile japoa, geg-lebuip,
jablanaijri gaca jenealaij, ocup ppim-iopoao poipbciu, pip-oileap,
pocaijri jacha pojalca pine, ocup raman rojaibe, caeb-pemac,
cuinijri, pa cacpaiD, ocup pa cimpaijiD cpaeb-pojla coicceanna
caibniupa cuar, ocup ceallach, ocup cpeb-aicmeo m caiman, 00-
neoch po jein ocup geinpep, o cec-cpucugab na cpumne ocup oenma
na n-oul, ocup noi n-jpab mme, anuap gup m lairhe lan-opopaic
luan-arco)'anach, 1 pejrap pipinne bpumnci, bpereamanOa, bpec-
puaplaicreach bpara ap pobain.

Qcc aca ni cena, ip e in c-apo-plaich h-Ua Qinmipec clicap
Dana cpaeb coibneapa po paiD]'iumap pomaino, ipa jape, ocup
jnim, ocup gaipceb, ipa blab, ocup baib, ocup beobacc, ipa dor,

ocup

This shows that the O'Muldorys and of Westmeath. The O'Donnells do not

O'Canannans had been dispossessed before descend from this monarch Domhnall, nor

the period of O'Dugan. There is not one can they boast of descent from any of the

of either name in Tirconnell at present, ten monarchs of Ireland who sprung from

unless the latter be that which is now Conall Gulban, nor indeed from any later

shortened to Cannon, but this the O'Don- than Niall of the Nine Hostages, who died

nells deny. A few of the O'Muldorys, or in the year 404; and hence it is obvious,

Muldarrys, as the name is now written, are that in point of royalty of descent they are

still extant near Rathowen, in the county far inferior to O'Grallagher, who descends

What genealogical branch is fitter to be inquired after, or more
becoming to be set forth, than the noble genealogy of the heroic
soldier to whom we have just now referred the design and project of
our battle, namely, the noble and illustrious just man of the grove of
the vines, and of the garden of heroism, and of the root-branch of
every royal sway, in whom the splendour of Erin and Alba was coi^-
centl^d, that is, Domhnall", the son of Aedh, son of Ainmire, son of
Sedna, son of Fergus Cennfoda, son of Conall Gulban, son of Niall
of the Nine Hostages, from whom authors recount none (i. e. no ge-
neration) but princes or monarchs, up to Adam, the illustrious father
of the various tribes from whom every one is named {sprung). This
Adam is the certain universal head which connects every genealogical
branch, and the only beautiful wide-branching trunk in every genea-
logy, and the genuine ancient founder and basis of every ramifying
tribfe, and the excellent solid stock of branching sides, in which unite
and meet all the genealogical ramifications of the peoples, families,
and tribes of the earth which have been, or will be bom, from the
first creation of the universe and formation of the elements, and of the
nine orders of heaven, down to that notable day of the general judg-
ment, when the truth of the sentence of the redeeming Judge, passed
upon them all, shall be seen proved.

Howbeit, the monarch, the grandson of Ainmire, whose genealogy
we have given above, is the prince whose renown and achievements,
and feats, whose fame, valour, and vigour, whose celebrity, profession,

and

from the monarch CeHach, the son of Mael- 704, who was grandson of the monarch

cobha, as weU as to O'Canannan, O'Mul- Domhnall, the hero of this tale. — See

dory, and Mac Gillafinnen, who descend Notes £ and F, at the end of this volume,
from Flahertach, who was monarch of Ire- ^ Domhnall, — See pedigree of king

land so late as 734, whose father, Loing- Domhnall, at the end of this volume, Note

sech, was monarch from the year 695. to A.

lOO

ocup ceipt), ocup compac, ipa h-aj, ocup ccc, ocup aipo-jmompab,
inoipcep ann po bo Deapca, ic ceapapjain a cuar, ic oip^ao q
ourcupa, ic imDejail Gpenn ap pojail ocup ap eccpann, ap cojaD
eaccpann ocuy ainpine, ocup allmupach. Oip ip e aipTnio u;^t>aip
in aoai^ po h-upmaipe& ap Domnall Oo Dip^ub ocup oo oiponeb.i
Ti-oipechup Gpenn, ap i pm abai;^ po h-aencaijio na h-oipeccq,
ocup po cacaigiD na cuacha, ocup cinnic no coiccpicha, po ceann*
paijic na cechepna, po oicuipcea na oibeapgai^, po baijic na
bibbanaip, po h-accuipiD na h-ainpeaj^a, po ceiliD na claen-bpeara;
conab f pin abaij arcup caca h-uilc, ocup mopca caca maiciupa,
Qcc cena, po pailcnig Dna m c-aep, ocup po pecnaijepcaip na
peanna, gup bailpec na ouile pocpaijecc ip na pmnaib, gup rai6-
leab, ocup jjup ceay^alxxb poillpe gpeme, oo gopab ocup oo jlanab
gaca 5pian pope; conab oe pm po bpojpac na bpuije bopppabq
ambipij, po poipbpcacap na h-eaca ocup na h-apbana, map ba
lacc-jenup cuimsci poptnna caca pumn ; po ropmaijerap na coipce
CO nac puilnjicip popmnaba popjablanna piobbaib poraib, pe meo
caca mop-mepa gup ub bo bapp a boij^e no imameab each acjaipe
peip caca pibbaibi, pe mallacc caca muicrpeoic; po mecab blicc
cacha bo-ceacpa, pe poplechni po pap popmna pcp-clacrmapa,

blarmaije

^ The sky then became cheering, — ^Ro S^eir jac lan-eopai6 pe a linn

paflcni^ ona in c-aep. — It was a belief 'S^ac leic o'pAn-colaij pheiolim.
among the ancient Irish that when their

monarch was worthy of his high dignity 1r i o-calihuin, copcuip cuon,

their seasons were favourable, and that the 6ipc a fpocaiB, pin nem-puap,

land, seas, and rivers yielded rich produce. 0*5^ a cd acap caipre peo;

This is alluded to by TeigeMac Dary, chief te'p b-plaic-ne cpa 50 o-cuillcep.
poet of Thomond, in the Inauguration Ode

of Donogh O'Brien, fourth Earl of Tho- tfnpaio pop, mao peippoe leip,

mond, in the following lines: Spcca luccmapa lom^eip,

" Qj lenmuin pij oo'n pecc caip Cpacc mbeipce an mapa riifn ;

Cicc apip, pi^oa an eoail, ^Qgct ip mBepre o* apo-pij."

lOI

and combat, whose prowess, activity, and high deeds of arms ^ in pro-
tecting his territories, ruling his patrimonial inheritance, and defend-
ing Erin against the inroads of adventurers, and against the attacks
of adventurers, strange tribes, and foreigners, are narrated hencefor-
ward. For authors relate, that the night on which it was resolved
that Domhnall should rule and be elected to the sovereignty of Erin,
was the night on which the assembUes were imited, the tribes were
cemented, the boundaries were fixed, the kernes became tame, the
insurgents were expelled, the thieves were suppressed, ignorance was
exploded, and partial judgments were discontinued ; so that that was
the night of suppressing every evil and of exalting every good. In
short, the sky then became cheering" and the planets benign, so that
the elements communicated mildness to the seasons, and the rays of
the Sim became bright and genial, to warm and purify every sunny
bank ; hence it happened that the rough, unprofitable farms became
productive, the crops and com increased as if the bosom of each land
were a lactiferous udder. The fruits so increased that they could
not be propped up by forked supporters of wood, in consequence of
the size of each fruit; so that with the palms of his hands the
swineherd was used to drive the swine of each forest, in consequence
of their unwieldiness. The milk of every cow became rich on ac-
count

Thus faithfully translated by Theophi-
lus O'Flanigan:

**• Assequens r^em recti regiminis
Venit iterum, (regium est lucrum),
Di£fusio cujuscunque copiosi-productus,

illius tempore,
In unaquaque parte declivis collis Feilimii.
Ubertas glebse, proventus portuum,
Pisces in fluminibus, tempestates serens,
Apud earn sunt, et fructus arborum.

A nostro principe qu6d tempestive mere-

antur.
Implebimt adhuc, si melius illi videatur^
Series densfe navium
Ora portuum placidi maris ;
Optio quod optanda est supremo-regi"

Trans, Gaelic Soc, voL i. pp. 12, 13.

This belief also prevails among the eas-
tern nations, whence, no doubt, it found its
way into Ireland at a very early period*

I02

blacmaise caca bpui^e ; po bpuccpacap eappa, ocup aibne, ocup
inbepa na h-6penn mup-bpucca meapa, mai^peaca, Tnipsleitianaca,
cacha moip eipc, co nac cuilleab ocu]^ nac racmaiTigeab i n-iccap
aibeipi na abann, i locaib no \ linncib, no i loc-cippacaib lan-ooim-
nib, CO m-biDip na o-caipeanoaib capcaije, raeb-ciopma, ap japb-
aoaib jlan-poillpi, ocup ap paiccib paen-cpacc, ocup ap bopoaib
bpuac-poillpi blach-inobep. Ocup oo bai o'peabup aimpipe an
apo-plara h-ui Qinmipech, 50 puabpaoaip pojnarhaij na peapann
jan pemm, gan obaip, jan apachap, jan cpealanl, jan cacap, jan
rpebaipecc Do rpiall, no Do rinDpceDal, man baD poipeicean a
n-aipeac ocup a n-aipDpi 5 'get popconjpaD oppo, pe ppepcal a plcD,
ocup a puipec plara, ppi pipinne a b-plaiceapa.

Ujchan ! po b' upupa D'd h-airni& ocup D'd h-anaicni6 Gpe d'itti-
lua6 ocup D'airijiD ip m ainipip pin, pe piajalcacc a pecc, pe
piramlacc a pluaj, ocup pe parhpacacc a pfon, pe h-oipni6ecu a
h-oippij, pe bpeir-ceipc a bpeireaihan, pe pocoipcice a poirccpn,
pe h-ilDanaiji a h-ollaman, pe pereaihlacc a pileaD, pe h-il-glep
a h-oippiDeac, pe lop-bpijmaipe a leaja, pe coinDipclije a cepDab,
pe jpep-capbaije a jobann, pe peol-jniriiaije a paep, pe bo5-
mallDacc abancuipe, pe rpeipi ocup pe raippije a cpiar, pe peile
ocup pe pailcije a pfp-bpujaD ; uaip pobpac bo^a, biabmapa, bo-
ceaDaca a bpujaba; pobpac piala, paippinge a poipgnearha, pop-

plaicce

^ The labourers 0/ the mU^S^, — The writer Arbuteos foetus, montanaque fraga lege-
seems to have had Ovid^ description of bant,

the golden age in yiew when he wrote this Comaque, et in duiis herentia mora ru-
description of the prosperity and happi- betis,

ness of Ireland in the reign of king Domh- Et quse deciderat patula Jovis arbore glan-
nail: des.

" Ipsa quoque immunis, rostroque intacta Yer erat setemiun; placidique tepentibuJB

nee ullis anris

Saucia yomeribns, per se dabat omnia tellus. Midcebant Zeph3rri natos sine semine flores.

Contentique cibis nullo cogente creatis, Moz etiam fruges tellus inarata ferebat

103

count of the degree to which the grassy and flowery surface of every
fann grew. The cataracts, rivers, and harbours of Erin poured forth
such shoals of every kind of lively, salmon-like, slippery great fish,
that they could not fit or get room on the bottoms of the seas and
rivers, lakes, ponds, and deep pools, but were to be seen in dried and
shrivelled multitudes on the bright shores, sloping strands and mar-
gins of the bright and beautiful harbours. And it happened, from
the goodness of the weather in the reign of the monarch, the grand-
son of Ainmire, that the labourers of the soil^ would not have deemed
it necessary to attend to labour, work, ploughing, utensils, gathering,
or tillage, were it not that their chieftains and kings commanded and
compelled them to do sOy for supplying their own banquets and royal
feasts to prove the worthiness of their reigns.

Ah me ! it were easy for one acquainted or unacquainted with
Erin to travel and frequent her at this period, in consequence of the
goodness of her laws, the tranquility of her hosts, the serenity of her
seasons, the splendour of her chieftains**, the justice of her Brehons,
the regularity of her troops, the talents of her Olaves, the genius of
her poets, the various musical powers of her minstrels, the botanical
skill of her physicians, the art of her braziers, the useful workman-
ship of her smiths, and the handicraft of her carpenters ; in conse-
quence of the mild bashfulness of her maidens, the strength and
prowess of her lords, the generosity and hospitality of her good
Brughaidhs [victuallers] ; for her Brughaidhs were generous and

had

Necrenovatufl ager gravidis canebat aristis stantly used by O'Dugan, in his Topogra-

Flumina jam lactis, jam flumioa nectaris phical poem, and by others, in the sense of

ibant: petty chief; that is, a chief who was sub-

Flavaque de viridi stiUabant ilioe mella." ject and tributary to another. It is also

^ Splendour of her chie/iaitu, — Oippi j, used in this sense by some of the early

sub-chiefs. — This word is not given in any English writers of the History of Ireland,

printed Irish Dictionary, but it is con- by whom it is written urria^h.

104

f laicre ap cinn cliap ocuf comncam, JP^^F ^^^f 5^^^^ ^"T* BP^crTn
aibeab; jup ab eab aipmit) U5t)aip, co n-imeocab ein-bean Gpe 'na
h-aenap, gan ejla puachab, na popecm pinppe, jen 50 m-beir
piaba aga popcoimeo, men ba eagla ejna, no icimpam, o cha Op-
jleann lar-aicenca Urhaill, 1 n-iapcap coigeab Connacr, co Cap-
paic n-oipoeipc n-ionocomapraij n-Gojain mp n-aipreap, ocup o
Imp poo-jloin poirpeamaij, pepuame pail, pip-oeipcepcmj banba
bopD-jlome, gup an m-bumoe m-bopb-ruij, m-bpaenpaoach, m-bpec-
linnreach m-buat)a, inuno pon ocup gupp in ppeib ppur-^lain,
pneccaiji, pi]i-5aipeccai5, puaicmg, peapoanaig, pluaj-bpaDanaij,
poinemail,pein-oileant)a,Danao amm aipDpaic,aicenca,6Q88apo-
mop lach-glan, impeapnach, cuicmech, caipm-cpen cmoeapnach,
mepjioa, maijpech, mup-biapcach, upDpaic, aipcpech, lapc-pemup,
ppeb-Dian,ppuch-bopb,paeb-coipec,pi5t)a,pat:map,pon-cupcaipcech
RUQlDb ; ocup raipip pein bo cuaio, mapa Ceinne bic m bpojub,

^ One woman. — Keating has the same
anecdote in his account of the reign of his
favourite monarch Brian Boru, as autho^
rity for which he quotes the following
quatrain from an old Irish poem:
** O Uhopaij 50 Clioona caip,
If pdil oip aici pe a h-aip,
Q b-plaic 6hpiain fXioiB-^il nap rim,
t)o rimcill aen Bean Gipinn."
Gratianus Lucius, in his Latin transla-
tion of Keating (MS. penes Edit.), has the
following words : — *' Adeo accurata regni
administratione ac severa discipline Bri-
anus usus est, ut foeminam unam ab aqui-
lonari Hibemiie plagi ad australem pro-
gressam annulum aureum in propatulo
gestantem nemo attingere yel minima vio-
latione afficere ausus fuerit"

On this anecdote Moore composed his
celebrated ballad,
" Rich and rare were the gems she wore.*'

' Oagleann in UtnhaU, the name of a
valley in the west of the county of Mayo.
Umhall, the ancient principality of the
O'Mailleys, was co-extensive with the ba-
ronies of Burrishoole and Murresk, in the
west of the county of Mayo.

' Carraic Eoghaifu — Situation not
known to the Editor.

^ Inis Fail, — Inch, in the barony of
Shelmaliere, in the county of Wexford,
was anciently called by this name.

" Eca Ruaidh. — This wordy description
of the cataract of Eas Ruaidh affords a
good example of what was considered the
sublime by the writers of Irish romantic

I05

had abundance of food and kine ; her habitations were hospitable,
spacious, and open for company and entertainment to remove the
hunger and gloom of guests ; so that authors record that one woman**
might travel Erin alone without fear of being violated or molested,
though there should be no witnesses to guard her (if she were not
afraid of the imputations of slander) from the well-known Osgleann',
in Umhall, in the west of the province of Connaught, to the cele-
brated remarkable rock of Carraic Eoghain,* in the east [of Erin],
and from the fair-surfaced, woody, grassy-green island of Inis Fail\ ex-
actly in the south of Banba [IrelamI] of the fair margin, to the furious,
headlong, foaming, boisterous cascade of Buadh, which is the same
as the clear-watered, snowy-foamed, ever-roaring, particoloured, bel-
lowing, in-salmon-aboimding, beautiful old torrent, whose celebrated,
well-known name is the lofty-great, clear-landed, contentious, preci-
pitate, loud-roaring, headstrong, rapid, salmon-ful, sea-monster-ful, vary-
ing, in-large-fish-abounding, rapid-flooded, furious-streamed, whirling,
in-seal-aboimding, royal, aad prosperous cataract of Eas Ruaidh", and

thence

tales ; the reader may compare it with Vir-
gil's description of Charybdis ; and with
Mac Fherson's wild imagery, throughout
his poems of Ossian, that he may perceive
how the latter, while he adopted the
images, chastened the language of the old
Graelic bards. The cataract of Eas Ruaidh
is mentioned in the Irish Triads as one of
the three great waterfalls of Ireland, and
one would be apt to infer from this exag-
gerated description, that it was as stupen-
dous as the falls of Niagara. It is on the
Riyer £me, in the town of Ballyshannon,
in the south-west of the county of Donegal,
and though not a high fall of water, is

IRISH ABCH. SOC. 6.

very loud, vehement, and grand, especially
when the tide is out, in consequence of
the great volume of water rolled down the
rock, the river being the outlet of the
great chain of lakes called Lough Gowna,
Lough-Oughter, and the Upper and Lower
Lough Erne. It is described as follows,
in O'Donnell's Life of St Colmnbkille, as
translated by Colgan:

" Ad Emi« marginem pervenit (Co-
lumba) celebrem illam spectaturus seu
cataractam seu rupem vulgo JSas BuaidA
appellatam: de cujus prserupta crepidine
totus is vastusque iluvius sese in subjectum
alveum pr»cipiti casu magnoque fragore

io6

no Da TTlat) uill Inmnnpige, cu cpachc popcaib rapm-cpuaioe
caepc-oibpaicreca Copai je op cuaiycepc.

^up ob Do ceapmolcaib cijepnaip ocup t>*int)coinapra aimpipe
gan elneo, ocup oipeacaip gan ainpii^i^e, in apD-placa h-uf Qinmi-
pech anuap conige pem.

Nip b'mgnat) aimpcap i n-inoapem aj h-ua Qinmipech, op oo
h-upmaipeo pen paepi^tKi, poinearhail, Do'n apo-plaich ocup t>*
Gpinn 1 coriipac pe ceile: uaip ip e ano po uaip ocup aimpeap,
ocup aip eapcai, ocup paep-laichi peacrmainc, m po h-oiponet> in
c-apo-plaich, h-ua Qinmipech, i n-oipecup nah-6peann, •!. i cinn-
pjeaoal m cpeap caoaip corhlame oo'n oj-laichi ai^eanca, i
popbra in Oapna h-uaip Oeaj Oeapppjnaichi m caem-laichi ceona,
ocup 1 TTicabon mfp TTlai, ocup ba Dia Domnaig oapaici ap ai
laiche pcccThainc, ocup in oll-cuigeo Deaj-afp eipgi ap pin.

Oip

iagurgitat" — Trias Thau. p. 404. Ac-
cording to the Four Masters (ad A. M.
4518) this cataract was called Eas Aodha
Ruaidh, L e. the cataract of Aodh Ruadh
Mac Badhuim, who was drowned under
it in the year of the world 4518. See
also OTlahertj's Ogygia, Part liL c. 36.

^ Teinne Bic in Broffka, was in the pre-
sent county of Donegal, but the name is
now forgotten.

^ Madh Ininnrighe This name is also

forgotten.

* Water-shooting. — popcaib caefc-oiuB-
paicrecha Copaije, water-shooting cliffs
of Tory. This island is situated in the
sea, about nine miles from the nearest coast
of the barony of Kilmacrenan, in the county
of Donegal It is one of the earliest places
mentioned in the Bardic Irish history, and

is first referred to as the stronghold of the
Fomorians, or African pirates, who made
many descents on the coasts of Ireland, at
a period so far back in the night of time,
that it is now impossible to bring chrono-
logy to bear upon it In the accounts of
these pirates it is called Tor-inis, or the
island of the tower; but in the lives of St
ColumbkiUe, and other tracts, it is always
called Toraek, L e. towery^ as in this tale,
and the inhabitants of the opposite coasts
of Donegal believe that it has derived this
name from the tower-like cliffs by which
it is guarded against the angry attacks of
the mighty element This seems to be the
correct explanation of this latter name, for
there are many lofty, isolated rocks on the
opposite coast, called by the natives tor«,
or towers, and a remarkably lofty one on

107

thence northwards by Teinne Bee an Broghadh^, or by the great plain
of Madhlninnrighe'', to the loud-roaring, water-shooting* cliffs of Tory.

Thus far the ardent praises of the reign of the monarch, the
grandson of Ainmire, and the signs of the seasons which were with-
out foulness, and his splendour without a storm.

It was no wonder that the times were thus in the reign of the

grandson of Ainmire, for the noble, happy prosperity of this monarch

and of Erin were ordained together. For this was the hour, time, age

of the moon, and day of the week, on which the grandson of Ainmire,

the monarch, was inaugurated into the sovereignty of Erin, viz., in the

beginning of the third quarter of the bright day, at the expiration of the

twelfth hour of the same day, in the middle of the month of May, and

as to the day of the week, it was on Sunday, and the great fifth was

the auspicious age of the moon^.

Time

the east side of the island itself, called Ter-
mor, or the great tower. But though this
is the true interpretation of its more mo-
dem name, Torachy still I am convinced
that it was also called Tor-inis, L e. Tower
Island, from a Cyclopean tower or fort
erected on it at a very remote period, of
which no vestige is now traceable, and not,
as some have supposed, from St. Columb-
kiUe's Clokftheachy or ecclesiastical round
tower which still remains.

The epithet caefc-Diubpaicrecba, above
applied to the cliffs on the opposite coasts
of this island, is truly descriptive, as there
are many hollow rocks amongst them which
shoot up the water to an amazing height.
There is one in particular called Mac
S wyne's Gun, which shoots the water with
80 much force, and roars so loudly, that it is

often heard at the Giant's Causeway, in the
county of Antrim. From all which it is
evident that the writer of the Battle of
Magh Rath was well acquainted with this
coast, and it is highly probable that he was
a native of Tirconnell ; and that he wrote
the story to flatter the pride of the ancient
chiefs of that principality, the O'Muldorys
and O'Canannans, the direct descendants
of the monarch Domhnall, its hero.

y Age of the moon, — Dcaj-afp eif^yi. —
The word oeo^ is here evidently an adjec-
tive qualifying the noun aip , age^ and signi-
fies good, happy, or auspicious ; it is evi-
dently purely expletive. The month of
May having thirty-one days, '* the middle
of the month'' will be the 1 5th day, *' at the
expiration of the twelfth hour of the day."
And since this day, as our author tells us.

io8

Oip If amlaiD fo pobailcep m amipeap o aOain co haiinpep:
J. o aoam m opcinc, a h-ofcmc i m-bpara, a bpara i papf, a
papf 1 minuic, a minuic i ponjjc, a pongc in uaip, a h-uaip i caoap»
a caDap i llaici, a lain i peccmain, a peccmam i mfp, a mip i
cpeiinpi, a cpeimpi i Tn-bliaoain, a blia6ain i paegul, a paejul i
n-aeip.

Ip amlaiD cuipcep each ana cell o'pojlacaib na h-aimpipe, .1.
pe h-aoaim Ixx. ap cpi ceaoaib m opcinc, opcinc co leic 1 m-bpaiira,
bpaca ocup Oct cpian bpaca 1 papp, papp 50 leich i miniiic, oa
mmuic 50 leic 1 pone, ceicpi pumc 1 n-uaip, ui. huaipe 1 caoap,
ceicpi caoaip 1 llaici, uii. laici 1 peaccmam, cpica lain, no laici ap
cpicaio, in each mi, ace jjmmoca occ-piccech peabpa nama.

Conao e pin ecepceapc na h-aimpipe. Cio paoa paiceill caca
pellpuim, ocup inpijji gaca h-ujoaip, ic poillpiujjuo j;aca pip, ocup
ic plonnuD jaca pencaip, ip eab mopaf^eap gup m inao cmnci,
coicceann, cpuc-poclac ceaona. Ip e m c-apo-plaich o h-Qinmi-
pech, Dm, ip mat) ocup ip inneom pocaijjci onpa a cejjlaij; pein
inpije jjach eolaip, ocup boipe bpeac-poluip jaca bpeirpe jap
pajjpam ocup jap pocaigpein pnac-peim puioijci gaca pencaip Dap
cupjjbamap mao gup cpapca.

Qcc cena, po bof 6pi jan impnim aijji-pein, ocup Uemaip jan
co-cpdo, ocup Uaillcejjan cupbpoD, ocup Uipnec gan ellneo, ocup

apD-cuigiD

was Sunday, and the 5th of the moon, the
Dominical letter of the year must have been
B., and the new moon must have fallen on
the tenth of the month. These criteria
indicate A. D. 628, the date assigned by
all our chroniclers to the commencement
of the reign of king DomhnalL

■ Division of time. — See note D at the
end of the volume, in which the authorities

for this subdivision of the hour have been
collected and discussed.

■ Without sadness. — Cemaip jan co-
cpao. By Teamhair is here meant the chief
seat of the monarch, for the place called
Teamhair or Tara, had been deserted from
the time of the monarch Dermot, A. D. 563,
as we have already seen.

^ TaiUte^ now Teltown, (from the genii-

109

Time is thus divided, from an atom to an age, viz., from an atom
to an ostent, from an ostent to a bratha, from a bratha to a part, from
a part to a minute, from a minute to a point, from a point to an hour,
from an hour to a quarter, from a quarter to a day, from a day to a
week, from a week to a month, from a month to a season, from a
season *to a year, from a year to a seculum, from a seculum to an

age.

And thus are the different divisions of time proportioned to each
other, viz., three hundred and seventy-six atoms in an ostent, one
ostent and a-half in a bratha, one bratha and two-thirds in a part, one
part and a-half in a minute, two minutes and a-half in a point, four
points in an hour, six hours in a quarter, four quarters in a day, seven
days in a week, thirty or thirty-one days in a month, except Febru-
ary alone, which has only twenty-eight.

Such is the proper division of time*. Though long may be the
moralizing of every philosopher, and the digression of eveiy histo-
rian, in elucidating every kind of knowledge, and relating every
history, they aim at one fixed, general, definite point. The grandson
of Ainmire, the monarch, then, is the theme and principal subject
of all the knowledge, and the bright scope of every word which we
have written and formed in the series of narrating each anecdote
which we have hitherto set down.

To proceed. Erin was without sadness*, Tara was without auc-
tion, Taillte** without misfortune, Uisnech^ without corruption, and

the

tive caillcen); it is situated on the River August, which is supposed to be a kind of

Sele, or Blackwater, midway between Kells continuation of the ancient sports of Taill-

and Navan, in the county of East MeatL tenn.

Public fairs and games were anciently cele- ^ Uisnech, now Usnagh Hill, in the

brated here on the first of August, in the parish of Killare, barony of Rathconrath,

presence of the monarch, and a patron is and county of Westmeath, where public

still annually held here on the fifteenth of fairs were annually held, in ancient times

apD-cuijm 6pcann jan cpuppan, o'n aioci pa h-arcupeao 6piu ap
h-ua Qinmipec, gup in aiOci po impcpnaigepcup Conjjal Claen, mac
Scannlam Sciach-lerain, a Dalca ppi Dorhnall o6ic-lebaip Daipe,
iinb Dcicbeip na od n-115 n-upcoiocch n-amparmap n-aiojill, .i. 115
cipci ceipi, clum-puaibi, concpacca, ocup coimpeipc geoib slan-
poj'jjaiDij;, rpep ap' abrhilleo 6pi ; op 56 Do baoup aobal cuipi eli
ic Congal 'man comep^i pin, .i. im oibao a Deipci, ocup im cpic-
eapbaio a cuipo, ip e imcnuD m ui je pm ba oeapa Do-pum Gpi
t)'pdj;bail, ^up cinoil ocup jjup cocapcail oj-piospaib Qlban, ocup
baer-buiom bpecan, ocup pluag-neapc Saxan, ocup popjla Ppan^c
ocup pino-^o^U Z^ h-6pinn, t)'d h-abmilleo, o'aiche a epanopa,
ocup 00 Dijail a Deipci, ocup a Oimiaoa ap Domnall; gup ob 'man
abbup pin po mnpaijpet) a cell co cpunn-lTlaj Comaip pip 1 paicep
TTlag puaio-lmDccc Rach; gu pabaDap ]'e paep-laichi na pecc-
maim 15 imgum, ocup 15 imbualab ann, gup po comqiomaigrea a
cneaoa; op ba h-inmeapca a n-eapbaoa gup m TTlaipc mipcnig,
mallaccaig, mi-bdnaig, map mapbao Congal Claen, mac Scanolain
Sciaclearam.

Imchupa in apo-placa h-ui Qinmipech, aoaig TTlaipci pia
maiom car TTlhuigi puab-linncige Rach, ciD cia po cooail co
paoail, ocup CO puan-rpom, pe cliaraib cpicpe, cuiboi, compaiceca
ciuil, ocup pe peipib fple, arcpuaga, ailgeana oippioec, nfp b'e m

r-apo-plaic

on the first of May.— See O'Flaherty's
Ogygift, p. iii. cap. 56, reign of TuathaL
See also Ordnance Map of the parish of Kil-
lare, where the ancient remains on Usnagh
Hill are shown.

^ DwnhnaU of Derry. — Daire^ now Der-
ry, or Londonderry, where, according to
O'Donneil, in his Life of St. Columbkille,
the monarch Aedh, the father of this

Domhnall, resided before he presented the
place to St. Columbkille ; but this cannot
be true, for that saint had founded a
monastery at Derry, in the year 546, be-
fore the monarch Aedh was of age. It
is not to be presumed- that king Domhnall
had a residence at Derry, because he is
called " of Deny ^^"^ in this story, for he is
also called of Tara, of Uisnech, of Dim

Ill

the great provinces of Erin without disturbance, from the night on
which Erin was placed under the guidance of the grandson of Ain-
mire, until the night on which his foster-son, Congal Claen, the son
of Scannlan of the Broad Shield, quarrelled with the same long-
palmed Domhnall of Deny*, about the diflference of the two ominous,
unlucky, evil-boding eggs, namely, the egg of a blackish red-feathered
hen of malediction, and the egg of a fine-feathered goose, through
which the destruction of Erin was wrought : for although Congal
had other great causes for that rebellion, such as the loss of his eye,
and the circumscribing of his province, still it was the spite for that
egg that induced him to quit Erin, so that he assembled and mus-
tered the young princes of Alba, the vain troops of Britain, the forces
of Saxonland, and the greater part of the forces of France and Fin-
gall*, and brought them into Erin to destroy it, to revenge the loss of
his eye, and the dishonour which he had received, on Domhnall. So
that it was for this reason they met each other on the plain of Magh
Comair, which is now called Magh Rath of the Red Pools ; where
they remained for the six full days of the week striking and wound-
ing, during which their wounds were equal, for their wants were
not considerable, until the unfortunate, cursed, unlucky Tuesday on
which Congal Claen, the son of Scannlan of the Broad Shield, was
slain.

As to the monarch grandson of Ainmire, on the night of Tues-
day before the battle of the red-pooled plain of Magh Rath was won,
though some may have slept agreeably and soundly, being lulled to
rest by the thrilling, agreeable, and symphonious musical strings,
and by the low, mournful, soft strains of minstrels, the monarch

grandson

Baloir, &c., where he never resided. — See Fingall the Irish at this period meant

Pedigree of king Domhnall, at the end of Finland, but this is far from being certain.

this volume. —S^ O'Flaherty's Ogygia, Part iii. c.

• Ftw^o//.— O'Flaherty thinks that by $6.

112

r-apD-plair h-ua h-Qinmipcc po cooail, pe ceipr in cara, ocup pe
himfmrh na h-ipgaile; uaip ba h-aipice lep m aipo-pij a bpun-Dalca
baibe x>o bpon-ciuj-Babiij; bdip ap ng bdpach. Conat) aipe pm po
epij; CO h-arlam a moch-oeaboil na maione ITlaipri moipe maiom-
ije, ic bpeacao, ocup ic ban-poiUpiujab an aip oo'n la Idn-poluip,
comao he ceo nf ac cichpeaD ^pip-caicncm na jjicne ic jlan-poill-
piujao op bopt)-inilib in beara, cpe oeig-ipip ocup rpe Dcjj-cpeiDeTn,
tjpec-pollpijri na Diabacca cuijrep rpia eolup, ocup cpia eajnai-
becc, a glan-puirnib na jpene.

Ip ann pm po epig in gpian jlan-apo, jjpfp-raicneamac, oppcp-
lannaib popc-glana ppim-pebi in ppepip caeb-glain, calmanca, ic
apsnarii pe peol-uccachaib paijnirip puap do compoiUpiujab na
cechapaipDi, icip na oa cpip apoa, ambceanaca, oijjpeca, uapoa,
cap h-opoaij;eaD na ponnpaoaib popcenjail oap caeb-imlib m
bera, t)o cpaecao rpen-bpiji ceapaijecca m cpeapa caiolij;
remncije, po cumao ocup po cumDaijjeD Dap ceapc-meaDon na
cpuinne, ocup ip amlaib acair pem ocup oa cpip min-jlana, niep-
paijci, na mop-rimcell pe poluccujab na pfn icip im-ai jbeli na
h-uapt>acca ocup cponi-neiThm^i na cemncigecca, Qcc ceanna, ip
ap in poc dpo, aibmo, paippmj;, poplearan, mmeoonac, peichep
jjpian ap gpfp-peannaib 5apb-loi]x:ceca, gepreccea gealam, ocup
Oa oej-pino oec ooib-pem, ocup xn. papc, no papc ap xn. m cac
pino, ace cenmoca aen pinO, ocup aquaip a ainm-pein, ocup occ-
pichcech 6, muna bipex in bliabam, ocup mao bliabam bipex ip

nai-piccech

^ Radiant countenance of the Divinity, — some acquaintance with the ancient Roman

i. e. religion and philosophy lead us to in- or Ptolomean system of Astronomy: he

fer the existence of God from the splendour may possibly have had before him the lines

of the sun. of Ovid :

^Fri^ zones, — lDipnao6cpif6pDa — "Utque duae dextr& coelum, totidemque

From this it appears that the writer had sinistra

*i3

grandson of Aimnire slept not, in consequence of the weight of the
battle and the anxiety of the conflict pressing on his mind; for
he was certain that his own beloved foster-son would, on the mor-
row, meet his last fate. Wherefore he went forth vigorously, early
on the great Tuesday of the defeat, when the morning was streak-
ing and illuminating the eastern sky, and the first object he beheld
was the glowing bright face of the sun shining over the borders of
the world, in whose rays, through good faith and good religion,
through knowledge and wisdom, the more radiant countenance of
the Divinity*^ is understood.

Then the bright-lofty, fiery-disked sun rose over the fair-banked,
unobstructed horizon of the earth, moving with foresails, and up-
rising to illuminate the four quarters of the world, between the two
high, stormy, frozen, frigid zones^, which were fixed as fastening
hoops around the extremities of the world, to moderate the great
torrid force of the bright fiery circle which was fastened about the
middle of the world. Next to these are two fine temperate zones, to
moderate the seasons between the intensity of the cold, and the ex-
treme sultriness of the heat ; but the sun moves on the high, beau-
tiful, wide, broad, middle circle, through fiery divisions of scorching
lightning, which are twelve in number, each consisting of thirty or
thirty-one parts, except one called Aquarius, which consists only of
twenty-eight, unless the year be a bissextile one ; but if the year be
a bissextile one, then it consists of twenty-nine. The sign, through
which the sun was travelling the day on which the Ultonians were

defeated

Parte secant zons, quinta est ardentior illis : lis aestu ;

Sic onus inclusum niimero distinxit eodem Nix tegit alta duas : totidem inter utram-

Cura Dei: totidemque plagae tellure pre- que locavit

muntur. Temperiemque dedit, mista cum frigore
Quarum quae media est, non est habitabi- flamma."

IBISH ABCH. 800. 6. Q

114

nai-piccech; ocuf ip e pmo ap a pejlami gpian in laire pm pino
caein-polaip Chairijcpech. Uaip m ix. an laici a pair pampaio Do
punpao pin, ocup occ cal. luil oo paici, ocu]» TTlaipc ap paep lain
peccriiume, ocup coijeab picerc aip cpci.

Ip 1 pin uaip ocup aimpeap poeipjicap Da comapra caiDi, coic-
cenDa, cpuraijci, cumoacca, ip cuiboi, ocup ip copmaili, ocup ip
comlame puapaoap ujoaip pc h-mncamlujab pc a ceile, ocup Dclb-
comapca Dilep, omjjnarach, Dpech-pollpijri na Oiabacca, muno pon
ocup Spip-aigeD jpuao-polup, jlan-eOpochc, jpfp-caicnemac jpene,
ic epjji 1 n-uillino mjancai^, examail, oippcip-Depcipc na h-lnnia,
o'opplugao imoopaip a poipc, ocup a pabaipc, ocup a pijj-poillpi,
DO lejuD a loipi, ocup a lappac, ocup a lomnpip pa cpeabaib,
ocu]» pa ruacaib, ocup pa rlacc-cpichaib m calrhan. Ocup Dm
ai^eD aDbal, opcapDa, popleran m aipD-pij;, h-ui Qinmipec co n-jpip,
ocup CO n-jlaine, ocup co n-a jpuaD-poillpi. Co n-a peiDi ocup co n-a
puirm, ocup co n-a popcaipDi, co n-a cpuch, ocup co n-a caime, ocup
CO n-a comlaine, co n-a pnuaD, ocup co n-a paipe, ocup co n-a
pomaipi. Co n-a h-aib, ocup co n-a hdilli, ocup co n-a h-opcap-
Dacc, CO n-a Deirbepeab, co n-a DellpaD, ocup co n-a DeappcnugaD
Do Dpechaib Dijpaipi, Daramla, Delb-comapracha DaenDacca m
Domain, ap n-epj;i ap in uillinD lac-jlain, aijjeapra, lapcap-ruaip-
cepcaij; na h-6oppa, i comDail ocup i comaippi gnuipi jpuaD-poillpi
5pene, Do cpeiDium co comlan, ocup Do compegaD a cupaile.

Nip pupail am Do'n apD-plaic D'ua Qinmipec, 50 po beappcnaige
a belb Da cac Delb, ocup 50 po cmneD a cpur, ocup a ciall, ocup
a cac-oipbepc, a emcc, ocup a eanjnum, ocup a popcamlacc, a

^ Cancer. — 1 pino Cainjcpech. — These June, fell on Tuesday. The Golden num-

characteristics of the year indicate A. D. ber also being 1 1, and the oldepact 20, the

637, of which the Sunday letter was £., 29th June was the day of new moon, and

and therefore the 8 KaL Jul., or the 24th consequently the moon's age, on the 24th,

defeated, was the bright-lighted sign of Cancer^, it being the ninth
day of the Summer quarter, the eighth of the calends of July, Tuesday
being the day of the week, and the moon's age twenty-five.

This was the time and hour that two general certain protecting
signs arose, the most similar, like, and complete that authors ever
found to compare with each other, and with the most glorious, radiant
countenance of the Divinity, namely, the radiant, brilliant, effulgent,
and delightfully glowing face of the sun, rising in the wonderful
south-east comer of India, to open the door of its eyesight and royal
brightness, to shed its rays, flame, and radiance upon the tribes, na-
tions, and countries of the eartW ; and the great, magnificent, hero-like,
broad, bright countenance of the monarch grandson of Ainmire,
with a glow and brightness, with light and tranquillity, with radiance,
comeliness, and beauty, with perfection and form, with nobility and
dignity, with serenity and grace, with augustness, splendour, and
effulgence, exceeding all the dignified, fair, and beautiful human
countenances in the world, rising in the fair-landed, chilly, north-
western comer of Europe, before and opposite the bright face of the
sun, to believe entirely in, and to view its indications^.

It was not to be wondered at in the monarch grandson of Ain-
mire, that his countenance excelled every countenance, that his
personal form, wisdom, and valour in battle, his hospitality, prowess,

and

was, in accordance witH our author^s state-
ment, 25. It appears, also, that according
to our author's calculation, the summer
quarter of the year began on the i6th of
June. The sun enters the sign Cancer,
according to the old calendars, on the ides
[L e. the 1 3 th] of June.

* Of the earth In calfhom. — It is cu-
rious that the masculine form of the arti-

cle is here, and in some of the best MSS.,
coimected with caiman, the genitive case
of calaih, the earth, which is a noun of the
feminine gender. The same is observable
of the word cip, a country, Lat. terrcL.

J To view itB indkationB, — ^L e. king
Domhnall rose to view the sun rising, to
see whether its aspect boded success in the
battle which he was to fight on that day.

ii6

jafp, ocup a jaif cen ocup a ^nimpaoay a rhuipnn, ocup a riicirnec,
ocup a riiop-TTieannia, a par, ocup a pigoaco, ocup a puicheanoacc,
oap rpiach-binonib cogaioi m caiman ; dp nfp laopac ocup nip
compaicpeac pa aen ouine peme pmm, ppem a pobla pmechaip
map Do laOpac pd'n apD-plair h-ua n-Qmmipech, uaip ip lar po
na Dual-jnimapca Duchupa pip ap Diallupcap Domnall a cuipib
caipoiupa, ocup a copmailecc ceneoil na n-oipec ocup na n-uapal-
aicpec aipmicep ocup ammmgcep ime, o Chonn Ceo-cacac, mac
peolimiD Reaccmaip, mic Uuacail Ueaccmaip, mic piachaib
pmnola, mic peapaoaig pinnpechcnaij, mic Cpimchainn Nia-
ndip anuap co Oomnall, mac Qeoa, mic Qmmipcc, mic Secna
pomemail, pocal-gnimaij, ap pin puap .1. copcup Chuino laip a
laraip caca, ocup a cpooacc 1 cach-comlann ; cinech Qipc Qen-
pip, ocup a aebbacc pe h-amnpib; ciall-jafp Chopmaic hui Cuino,
ocup a pomici aipo-pij; copnumaiji Caipppi Lipcchaip, ocup a
luac-upcaip lamaij; pichoacc na plara piachach, ocup a lap-
maipc o'd aicmeoaib; mepnech ITluipeabaijj Uipij, ocup a cep-
molca cigeapnaip ; echrmaipe Gchach TTluiomebom, ocup a
menmanpao mileO; nop ocup mam-cpora Neill Nai-jiallaig, 'ma
pojjlaic ocup 'ma ppemaijic neapc-clanna Neill ceap ocup cuaio,
raip ocup nap ; cpaeb-oeapca Conaill ^"'''^^^ ' njlenn-popcaib
a jnuipi ; Cach-beim colj-ouaibpech claioim m ChonaiU ceaona
pin 1 n-Dopnn-jlacaib ooic-l^bpa Domnaill; pole po-cap pop-opoa
peapjupa, mic Conaill, a j-comrui^e a cmo ; pib-mail^i pe-
mioi, pich-gopma Seacna, mic peapjupa 1 n-imchumoac a aijri.

Oooipppe

^ Con of the Hundred B(Me» This gia, Part III. c 57, p. 306, and Fethlemi-

name is Latinized Quintus Centimachus dius legifer by Colgan, in Trias Thaum.

by O'Flaherty, in Ogygia, Part III. c 60, p. 447.

p. 313. ° TtuUhal the Legitimaie^ in Irish Cu-

* Fedhlimidh the Lawgiver^ is rendered oral Uechcriiap, is Latinized Tuathalius

Fedlimius Legifer by O'Flaherty, in Ogy- Bonarentura by O'Flaherty, in Ogj-gia,

117

and puissance, his sagacity, feats of arms, and achievements, his spirit,
courage, and magnanimity, his prosperity, royalty, and splendour ex-
ceeded those of the most princely and distinguished tribes in the
world ; for there met not, and there united not in any one person be-
fore, such distinguished genealogical branches as met in the monarch
grandson of Ainmire ; for the following were the ancestorial heredi-
tary characteristics which he derived from his consanguinity with,
and descent from the chiefs and noble fathers, who are enumerated
and named in the pedigree from Con of the Hundred Battles^, the
son of Fedhlimidh the Law-giver*, son of Tuathal the Legitimate",
son of Fiacha Finnola, son of Feradhach the Just", son of Crimthann
Nianar, down to Domhnall himself; son of Aedh, son of Ainmire,
son of the prosperous and proud-deeded Sedna. Namely, he had the
triumph of Con in the field, and his valour in battle; the hospitality of
Art the Solitary, and his courteousness to women ; the wisdom of
Cormac, the grandson of Con, and his royal forbearance ; the skill in
the art q/* defence of Cairbre Lifeachair, and his dexterity at arms;
the fierceness of prince Fiacha, and his munificence to his tribes; the
courage of Muiredhach Tirech, and his laudability of reign; the chi-
valrousness of Eochaidh Muighmhedhoin, and his heroic magnanimity;
the polished manners and beauty of form of Niall of the Nine Hostages,
from whom the Ui-NeiU, south and north, east and west, branch ofi'and
ramify ; the bright eyes of Conall Gulban in the hollows of his coun-
tenance, and the terrific sword-blow of the same Conall was in the
long-palmed arm of Domhnall ; the curling golden hair of Fergus,
the son of Conall, covered his head ; the mild, graceful, black eye-
brows of Sedna, the son of Fergus, ornamented his face. The prince

had

Part III. c. ^6 ; but the cognomen Techt- ° Feradhach the Just^ is rendered Fera-
mar is more correctly explained lawful, dachus Justus by O'Flaherty, in Ogygia,
intimate in the Book of Lecan, fol. 221. Part III, c. 54, p. 300.

ii3

Oooipp]^e eifceccaQinmipe, mic Seacna, afean-arap pop i pooail
na plara; jur, ocup jpeann, ocup gnuip-nepji Qeoa, inic Qinmipech,
a oej-achap boDem, i cumoach ocup i coniea^ap opeicc Delbnaioe
DoTTinaill.

Conit) lac pm na neice puaicince, punnpa6aca, pi]^ ap oiall,
ocup pip ap oelb-copmailijiupcap Dotnnall i peamrupna pijpaioe
peme. dec cena, nip pupail Dno aen oume pdp laopac ocup pap
imcochaijpeac na h-epnailc pni uile, 50 mao cenn coonaijri co-
maiple 00 each, ocup 50 mao cijeapna cionaiccech cuapupcail
t)'uaiplib ocup o'dpo-mairib, cen co beich popachc na ppeapabpa
pip im aipo-piji. Uaip ba he pm aen Duine cap opech-Depj-oelb-
aijeD oeppcnu^uo t)eilbi 00 oainib m Domain, .1. Domnall, mac
Qeoa, mic Qmmipech, mic Seacna, mic Peapjupa Cenn-paca,
mic Conaill 5"l''^^i^> ^^^ Neill Naf-jjiallais, mic 6chach ITluio-
meaooin, mic TTluipeoaij cipij;, mic piachach Spapcine, mic
Caipppe Cipeacaip, mic Copmaic cupaca, mic Qipc Clenpip, mic
Cumo Ceo-cacaig, pa compaicic clanna caioe, copmaile, copp-
peoi, cialloa, coiccenna, cpaeb-gapca, cach-aipbeapcacha, Cumo
Ceo-cacaig.

lap pm mnpaijip in r-aipo-pig co Uulcan na o-cailj;cann, ap
lap m lonjpuipc, baile 1 m-biOip apo-nafrh 6peann ic cupcbail a
cpach, ocup a cancam a n-upnaigci ; gup paiopirap ^^^P '5^^^^

mac

o Lively /ace. — ^For the periods at which many of them, which have been since lost,

these different ancestors of Domhnal flou- in which allusions were made to their per-

rished see his pedigree at the end of this sonal forms, and to the attributes of iJieir

volume. minds ; and it is not unlikely that he drew

If these characteristic distinctions of the also on his own imagination, which, we have

royal ancestors of king Domhnall were not every reason to believe, was sufficiently ex-

imagined by the writer, he must have had travagant, for the qualifications of others

more copious accounts of them than we are for which he had no authority. There

able to discover at present It is probable, are documents still remaining which would

that he had ancient poems addressed to bear him out in many of the qualifications

119

had also the acuteness of hearing which distinguished his grandfather
Ainmire, the son of Sedna ; and he had the voice, hilarity, and rud-
diness of countenance of Aedh, the son of Ainmire, his own good
father, well expressed in his lively face^.

Such were the particular distinguishing attributes derived by
Domhnall fix)m the kings, his ancestors ; and it was inevitable that
any one in whom all these characteristics were united and concentred,
should not be the head of counsel to all, and the bountiful payer of
stipend to nobles and arch-chieftains, even though there should be
resistance or opposition to him regarding the monarchy ; for he was
the only man whose countenance excelled in form and majesty all
the countenances of the men of the world, namely, Domhnall, son of
Aedh, son of Ainmire, son of Setna, son of Fergus Cennfada, son of
Conall Gulban, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, son of Eochaidh
Muigmhedhoin, son of Muiredhach Tirech, son of Fiacha Sraibhtine,
son of Cairbre Lifeachair, son of Cormac the Heroic, son of Art the
Solitary, son of Con of the Hundred Battles, in whom all the pow-
erful, fair-bodied, wise, wide-branching, warlike race of Con of the
Hundred Battles, meet.

After this the monarch advanced to Tulchan na d-Tailgenn**, in
the middle of the camp, where the distinguished saints of Erin were
used to chant their vespers and say their prayers ; and he sent Gair
Gfuin, the son of Feradhach**, to request the arch-chieftains of Erin to

hold

he ascribes to some of those kings, such as 123), was afterwards employed to denote

the wisdom of Cormac, the dexterity at any distinguished saint who became the

arms of Cairbre Lifeachair, &c. patron of a diocese or parish.

P Tulckan na d-Tailgean, — i. e. the hil- *» Gair Gann Mac Feradaigh^ is not men-
lock of the saints. The name is now tioned in any of the Irish Annals or genea-
forgotten at Magh RatL TaUgean^ which logical books, accessible to the Editor, so
was first applied by the Druids to St. Pa- that he cannot determine whether he was
trick, and signifies of the shorn heady ^^cir- a real or fictitious character.
culo tontuB in capite*^ (Trias Thaum. p.

I20

mac pepaoaij, o'popconjjap pop apt>-maicib 6peann ap co cmnDip
a comaipli ^m each no im comaoaib oo Chon^al. Ip oe pern po
epjjioap uaipli ocup apD-riiaici 6peann, ocup laOj'ac co h-anbail,
opcapDa, inopij, pa Dpeich n-Delb-comapraij n-OoThnaill, ocup
belbaip Doninall na bpiarpa beca pa Do cepcnugao na comaipli
pe each, ocup o'puapafc a h-aobaip ocup a h-aiceanca:

Cio t)o gen pe Gonial Claeri,

a puipe nime na naem?

nf uil Dam beic im becaiD,

ic mac Scannlam Sciac-leacham.
Da rpeigeap mo piji peill

DO Chongal m jaipceD jjeip,

canpairep 'gum ruacaib rpell,

nac am pij; puanaiD, po cenn.
Da cujjap cac ip Gonial,

racr pig Guailngi na 5-compam ;

Duppan Dal i riagap ann,

caec a Dalca le Domnall.
pop 561 jnaic ppamceap gala:

ibiD bpain Doipbi, Duba,

|»6piD paep-clann ap each cf,

biaiD ojjdn Dana haichf.

GiD Do 5.

Ip anD pm po cinnpec na cuigeDaig a comaipli, ocup nip eap-
aencaij; in c-apD-plair h-ua Qmmipeeh na n-agaiD-pein ; ocup ba
hi comaipli po cinDpec, janbeic pa comaDaib claena, cenncpoma,
coDappnaca Ghonjail, acr car Do cmneD ina comaip, ocup a
roiccpan Do cpaechaD jan cepapgam, ap lacaip m laiche pm.
Ip De pm po epij m c-aipD-pfj, ocup po uprosaib a oll-juc inDpij
op aipD, Do gpepacc gappaiDi jpuaD-poillpi ^aiDeal ; ocup ip eb
po paiDepcap piu :

GpsiD,

121

hold a consultation about whether battle or conditions should be
given to CongaL Wherefore the nobles and arch-chieftains rose up,
and proudly, nobly and majestically closed around the well-known
remarkable countenance of Domhnall ; and Domhnall composed the
few words following to interrogate all as to the counsel, and to set
forth its cause and nature :

" What shall we do with Congal Claen,

Lord of heaven of saints ?

1 cannot remain in life

With the son of Scannlann of the Broad Shield.
If I resign my noble kingdom

To Congal of fierce valour,

It will be said among my tribes awhile

That I am not a mighty or firm Mng.
If I give battle to Congal,

That king of Cuailgne renowned for feats shall fall ;

Mournful the event which will happen there.

His foster-son shall fall by Domhnall.
Against the false ones battles are ever gained:

Ravenous black ravens shall drink of bloody

Some nobles from every house shall perish,

There is a youth on whom it wiU be a stain.

What shall," &c.

Then the provincialists held a council, and the monarch grandson
of Ainmire did not dissent from them ; and the resolution to which
they came was, not to submit to unjust, exorbitant, and unreasonable
conditions from Congal, but to give him battle, and put down his
ambition without mercy on that very day. Wherefore, the monarch
rose and raised his powerful regal voice on high, to exhort the bright-
cheeked youths of the Gaels, and spake to them in this wise :
IBI8H ABCH. 80C. 6. R '* Axise,

122

GpjiD, epjiD, a 05U, ap in c-aipo-pij, co hepcait), ocuf co
haencaoac, co cobpaib, ocup co cellioe, co neaprrhap, nearh-pcat-
ach, pe ppepcal na popecm pea Ulao ocup allmapach ; ace
cena jupa pepcap plainupo, ocup jupa h-achcup aipecaip o'Ull-
caib ocup o'allrhapcaib a combaij ocup a comepji pe claen-biojaib
Chonjail in bap cenn-pi Oo'n cup pa; ocu]* Din jupa cacap ciuj-ba
jan ceapapjam do Chonjal each cac-choma comegni cuinjeap;
uaip ni olij capb cnuc-meap, cpooac a cepapjam, na Dume co
n-ollrjnfniaib Diabail Diljuo, muna caiolijrea o cpom-cpaiOe, uaip
buo ecpumaiOi a lapjno ocup a oipcipechc ajum-pa, ocup but>
ciumioe a cpich-jallpa curiiao im cpioe, 510 jeojamcep mo cpicip-
oalca cpaioe Conjal. Ocup a luce in caeib pi reap dm ale, bap
aipD-pij Gpenn, .1. a apo-clanna Oilella Uluim, ocu]» a oej-clanna
oeola Odippme, ocup a clann-maicne cpooa Conaipe, ocup a

caem-cineo

' 0/io// Olum Q apo clanna Oilella

Uluim. — Olioll Olum was kingofMun-
ster about the year 237. He is the an-
cestor of the O'Briens, Mac Carthys,
O'Donovans, O'Sullivans, O'Donohoes, and
of almost all the distinguished families of
Munster, of Milesian descent. Of all his
descendants the O'Donovans are the senior,
being descended from Daire Cearb, the
second son of Olioll Flannbeg, king of
Munster, and senior representative of
Olioll Olum, while the Mac Carthys, and
all the other families of the Eugenian line,
are descended from Lughaidh, the third
son of the same king. The descendants of
Eochaidh, his eldest son, became extinct
in Crimthann Mor Mac Fidaigh, one of the
most celebrated of the Irish Monarchs, who
began his reign about the year of our Lord
366 See O'Flaherty's Ogygia, Part HI.

c. 81. See also Note G, at the end of this
volume.

*Bfice ofDairfkine ^Dej-clanna oeula

t)aippine. These were a powerful people
in Munster in the second, third, and fourth
centuries, not considered to be of Milesian
descent, but their power was much crip-
pled by the race of OHoll Olum in later
times. After the establishment of sur-
names in Ireland the principal families of
this race were the following : O'Driscol,
O'Coffey, O'Cumin, O'Flyn Arda, O'Baire
of Munter-Bhaire, O'Leary of Rosscarbery,
O'Trevor of Kilfergus, all in Munster, and
Mac Clancy of Dartry, in the county of
Leitrim in Connaught — See Keating, Pe-
digree of O'DriscoL

^ Conaire, — Clann-maicne cpooa Co-
naipe. — These were the descendants of
Conaire U., who was monarch of Ireland

123

" Arise, arise, O youths," said the monarch, " quickly and unani-
mously, firmly and prudently, vigorously and fearlessly, to meet this
attack of the Ultonians and foreigners ; so that the evening of the
reign and the destruction of the dominion of the .Ultonians and
foreigners shall be brought about, who are on this occasion joined
and implicated in this iniquitous insurrection of Congal against you ;
and 80 that the battle reparations, which Congal so loudly demands,
may be the battle in which his own final destruction shall be
wrought; for a furious, enraged bull is not entitled to protection,
nor a man with the daring deeds of a demon to forgiveness, unless,
indeed, he is purified by repentance ; (for even though the beloved
nursling of my heart, Congal, should be slain, his sorrow and regret
for his crimes would make me lighter, and his anguish for past
offences would render my wounded heart calmer). And you, men
of the south," said the monarch of Erin, " you high descendants of
OlioU Olum', you good and valiant race of Dairfhine", you brave
progeny of Conaire^ you fair, protecting offspring of Cathair", and

you

about the year 212. A very distinguished monarch, Conaire, were then settled. The

branch of them passed over into Scotland, families then settled in these territories

where, as venerableBede informs us, "they were a few centuries afterwards dispos-

obtained settlements among the Picts either sessed by the descendants of OlioU Olum,

by an alliance or by the sword ;" but the so that we have no account of the chieftains

people here addressed by the monarch of this race in modem times, with the ex-

Domhnall were the inhabitants of Mus- ception of the O'Donnells of Corca Bhais

craighe Mitine, in the present county of cinn, who, however, sank under the Mac

Cork ; of Muscraighe Breogain, now the Mahons (a branch of the O'Briens of Tho-

barony of Clanwilliam, in the county of mond), in the fourteenth century See

Tipperary; of Muscraighe Thire, now the O'Heerin's Topographical Poem, for the

baronies of Upper and Lower Ormond, in possessions of the descendants of king

the same county ; andof Corca-Bhaiscinn, Conaire, at the Anglo-Norman Invasion

now the baronies of Moyarta and Clonde- of Ireland.

ralaw, in the south-west of the county of ^ Protecting (^spring of CaUiair, — Caem-

Clare, in all which the descendants of this cine cop naihac Cacafp. — These were the

124

caem-cinet) copnamac Cacafp, ocup a mop-Leac maiomec TDoga
CO coiccenn apcena, cuiihnfjfb-yi Do Conjal na joipc-bpiacpa jepa,
gldm-aicipeca geom Do paiDiupcap pib, T^ail con ap ocpac a ail
ap laec-poipmb Laijen. Capp cuipc o'd caeb, a aicepc pe
hOppaijib. Dpuioe ap Oaippcij aopubao ap oej-pluajaib Oep-
murhan. Ocup a luce in caeib-pi cuaiD, t)in, bap aipo-pij Gpenn,
nf lu^a ip cuimnijci Oia bap cupaoaib-pi Do Chonjal na ciu j-
bapamla cpoma, cain]»eniaca capcapail cue ap bap cuaraib:
Uch bo bpuici oo biop a bapamail t)o car-bummb cpooa cneap-
poillpi Cpuacna ocup Connacc. pal pino-cuill pe pipu, puijlip
pe cuacaib cpoma, caipcoeca, cpebaipe Uempa, ocup claccTTliOe.
CiO lac m'aniaip ocup mo 6eopaio-pi pop, ap plaic pipenac pobla,
ni luja ipleajao o'a laecpaoaib mcamail ammec, aicipech, ecpami
Chonjail ap a cupaoaib, .1. caep ap jeimiun, 00 pamiupcap piu.
Comt) aipe pin, cluinib ocup cuiriimj-pi mo cecupca cijepnaip,

ocup

descendants of Cathaoir Mor, monarch of
Ireland, of the Lagenian race, about the
year 174. (See Ogygia, Part III. c 59.)
He is the ancestor of all the distinguished
Irish families of Leinster (with the excep-
tion of O'More, O'Nolan, and Fitzpatrick
of Ossory), as of Mac Murrogh, now Kava-
nagh, O'Dempsey of Clanmaliere, O'Conor
Faly, O'Dunn of Dooregan, O'Toole,
O'Byme, &c

^ Jjeath Mhogha, — TTlop-CeGn; maiomec
nio^a — Leath-Mogha, Le. Mogha's half, is
the name of the southern half of Ireland,
so called from Mogha Nuadhat (the father
of OlioU Olum mentioned in Note •'), who
was king of it. For a description of the
boundary between Leath-Mogha the south-
ern, and Leath Cuinn, the northern half of

Ireland, see Circuit of Muircheartach Mac
Neill, note on line 1 28, pp. 44, 45.

"^ Osaorians, — OfpaijhiB. — The an-
cient principality of Ossory was coextensive
with the present diocese of Ossory. It
comprised the entire of the present county
of Kilkenny and the barony of Upper
Ossory, in the Queen's County, excepting
some very small portions not necessary to
be specified in this place. It has been
from the dawn of history one of the most
celebrated territories in Ireland, and its
chiefs were considered so distinguished
and of such high rank, that the monarchs
of Ireland did not think themselves above
marrying their daughters. The hero of
this tale and his brother Maelcobha, had
both wives out of this territory.

125

you great and txiumphant inhabitants of Leath Mhogha"" in general,
remember to Congal the bitter, sharp-insulting, loud-abusing words
which he said to you. * A hound's valour over ordure' is his insult
to the heroic troops of Leinster ; * the belly of a pig to its side' his
saying to the Ossorians'' ; * stares on the oak''^ he likens imto the noble
hosts of Desmond' ! And you, men of the north," said the monarch
of Erin, " your heroes have not less cause to remember to Congal the
last heavy-insulting derogative comparisons he has made of your tribes :
' a cow's udder boiled in water' he compares to the bright-skinned
valiant bands of Cruachan' and Connaught * A hedge of white hazel
before men' he likens unto the heavy, prosperous, active tribes of
Tara and fair Meath. As to my own soldiers and exiles, moreover,"
said the upright king of Fodhla [Ireland], " their heroes are no
less degraded by the reviling, reproachful, spiteful comparison which
Congal has made to them. * Caer ar geimiun'" he calls them. Where-
fore hear and remember my exhortation of a lord, and my command

* Stares on the oak, — The stare or star-
ling, caUed hj the Irish opuio, is a veiy
timid and unwarlike bird.

^ The noUe hosts of Desmond, — t)ef mu-
main, Desmond^ at this time comprised
the south half of Munster, being divided
from Thomond bj a line drawn from
Brandon Hill, in Keny, to Lismore and
Dungarvan, in the county of Waterford ;
but in later ages Desmond comprised only
Mac Carthy More's country.

* GruMhan, — Cpuachna, Gen. of Cpu-
acha, or Cpuachain, the name of the an-
cient palace of the kings of Connaught.
It is now called Rathcroghan, and is situ-
ated nearly midway between Tulsk and
Belanagare, in the county of Boscommon,

and the ruins of several forts, and of an
extensive Pagan burial ground, called
Ro%lig na Bicgh^ L & the cemetery of the
kings, are still to be seen at the place. —
See Ordnance Map of the parishes of Ogulla
and Kilcorkey, on which the present re-
mains at Rathcroghan, with their names,
are accurately shown. It is remarkable that
the Ultonians of the ancient Irish race still
consider themselves as hardier and more
warlike than the natives of Munster, Con-
naught, or Leinster, and would not hesi-
tate, even at this day, to call them soft
fellows, not fit for war or hardship.

^ Caer a/r geimiun; it has been thought
better to leave this phrase untranslated.

126

ocup m^popconjap aipij ocup aipo-pfj oipb-pi; .i. nap ub piblach,
pul-paoapcach, ]^ot)ibpech pib i culaib m cara umaib ap cac
n-aipD, ace jup ob cpooa cenn-cpoma, compeini bap cupam Oo
copnam na cac-laicpec; jup ob cenna, cpoma, cac-gpeamannaca
cuiniDe bap cpen-peap pe cenncaib cpom-calman, ocup jop ba
luaca, leiDmij, leoapcaij lama bap laecpaiDe i comneapc bap
C0I5, ocup bap cpai]»ech, ocu]» bap cach-pciac; ocup na h-eipjeao
uaib o'lnnpaijit) na h-impeapna ace cac aen pip a h-epcai6 a hinO-
paijib. Uaip ba caeb pe collaipbe Do cijeapna caeb pe p^pj-
lonnaib bap pip-laec-pi, mun ub comoicpa bap cupait) co lacaip
t>a luac-copnam : ocup mai> comDicpa cecpaoa bap cpen-peap,
cabpaiD m cachap j*a co calcap, cul-bopb, capb-peDija, rpep-
leiomech, map a cachap 'jd cappngaipe Ouib o aimpip bap
n-uapal-bpachap, .i. na peclamne pij-poiUpi, ocup na leiji lojmaipe,
ocup na cpaibi celliDi, copp-pianca, coimoeca a cpiplach oepcach,
oeipjpeioech oepb-jlanpume na oiaoachca, .i. Colum Cille, mac
pellmiDa pip-ujoapca peolimiD, a pme Neill Nai-jjmllaij ; jop ub
ap airpip na h-iplabpa pm Do opoaij m c-ujoap na pepba pileo
pa, mano p6n ocup na bpeach-pocla bpiachap:

Uabpafo in car co calma,

icip pij ip pij-Damna,

ppaincep ap pluag Ulao an ;

but) cuman leo a n-imapbaij.

Cabpaio m car co calma,

icip pij ip pij-oamna ;

jabap

^ Columbkille, the wn of FeidMimidh, — Columbkille, (lib. L c. 39.) that that Saint

For the relationship between the monarch foretold the battle of Munifio Cethimi, or

Domhnall and St. Columbkille see gene- Dun Ceitkimy which was also fought by

alogical table, showing the descent of Congal against king Domhnall, about ten

O'Maoldoraidh, O'Canannain, and Mac years previous to this of Magh Rath. —

Gillafinncn, at the end of this volume. Colgan Trio* Thaum, p. 349. The Irish

Adamnan states distinctly, in his Life of generals were accustomed to tell their

127

of a prince and monarch to you, namely, be not found loitering,
gaping around, and unsteady in the rear of the battle ; but let the
conduct of your heroes be brave and headstrong to maintain the
field of battle ; let the feet of your mighty men be firm, sohd, ce-
mented, and immoveable on the earth, and let the hands of your
champions be quick, expert, and wounding in using your swords,
lances, and warlike shields, and let none of you go into the conflict
except one who longs to approach it; for it would be trusting to
shadows in a prince to trust to the exertions of your heroes unless
they were all equally anxious to rush to the scene of action to defend
him. And if the minds of your mighty men be equally anxious, fight
this battle firmly, fiercely, furiously, and obstinately, for this battle is
foretold to you since the time of your noble relative, viz., the royal
bright star, the precious gem, the wise, self-denying, meek, divine
branch who was in the charitable, discreet yoke of the pure mysteries
of the Divinity, namely, ColumbkiUe, the good and learned son of
Fedhlimidh^, of the race of Niall of the Nine Hostages." To record
this speech the author composed these poetic words :

" Fight the battle bravely,
Both king and prince ;
Let the noble host of Ulster be defeated ;
They shall remember their emulation.
Fight the battle bravely.

Both king and prince ;

Let

soldiers, before every formidable battle in to read a prophecy of this nature ascribed

which they were about to engage, that vie- to ColumbkiUe, aloud to his army before

tory had been foretold to them in that thebattleof the Black water, fought in the

battle by one of the early Irish saints. As year 1595, in which he gained a signal

late as the reign of Elizabeth, Hugh victory over the Marshall of Newry and

O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, caused O'Clery his veteran English forces.

128

gabap ooib co caecpar cmn,

m Da Conjal \m Oomnall.
Domnall bpeac, mac 6achach din, ;

ocuf Conjal, mac Scannlain,

Qeo ip Conjal meic Gachach,

ocuf Suibne paep-bpecach.
Co cf oich bpecan co bpach,

ocup Die Saxan pae]i-5nac,

CO na pia peap berao paip

o'Ullraib uaib na o'allmapchaib.
Cpec pa rancacap o rij,

maicne Gachach a h-Qlbam?

popao lop t)oib Conjal ciap,

ap ulc ocup ap anpiap.
pejaib lib Conjal Cuailnji,

05 na cipce clum-puaioi,

cpet) pil ecuppu enp,

ip 05 m 5e6i6 jcl-eiris?
Ip bee o'peoil

icip U15 cipce ip U15 geoiO;

maip5 00 mill Gpino uile,

cpe impeapain aen uije !
Capiat) Idn peer n-Oabac n-opon

o'uijib 560 in aen inaD,

ocup

^ Gonial qfCuaiigne, — Conjial Cuail^- because it oiigiiiallj belonged to the pro-
ne.— ^Cuailgne is the name of a very cele- yince of Ulster, of aO which his ancestors
brated mountainous district in the now had been kings. The ancient Ulster, as
coimtj of Louth, lying between Dundalk we learn from the best authorities, ex-
.and Newry. Congal is called of this place tended southwards as far as Inver Colpo,
not because he was the possessor of it, but the ancient name of the mouth of the

129

Let them be pressed till there fall

The two Congals together with Domhnall.

Domhnall Breac, the son of noble Eochaidh,
And Congal, son of Scannlan,
Aedh and Congal, the sons of Eochaidh,
And Suibhne the just-judging.

Until eternal destruction to Britain come,

And the destruction of the ever-noble Saxons,
So that not one man shall go eastwards from you
Of the Ultonians or of the foreigners.

Why hwe they left their home,

The sons of Eochaidh from Alba ?

It was enough for them that Congal the black

Should be in evil and insubordination.

Behold ye the conduct of Congal of Cuailgne*^ !
What is the difference at all between
The egg of the red-feathered hen,
And the egg of the white-winged goose ?

There is little difference of meat

Between the hen egg and the goose egg ;
Alas for him who destroyed all Erin
For a dispute about one egg !

The full of seven strong vats was offered
Of goose eggs together,

And

Biver Bojne, and comprised not only the this mountainous district, for it then

mountains of Cuailgne, now correctly formed a portion of the territory of Oir-

called in Irish Cuailghe, and Anglicised gial, Anglic^ Oriel and Uriel, which be-

Gooley, but the entire of the county of longed to Maelodhar Macha. It was wrest-

Louth, which now belongs to Leinster. ed from the Clanna Rudhraighe so early

At this time, however, Congal was only as the year of Christ 332,
king of Ulidia, and possessed no part of

IBI8H ARCH. SOC. 6. S

130

ocup U5 oip imaille,

ap uachcap caca oaibce.

Capjafa Do Conjal Claen,
m can po bi aj Dun na naem,
bennacc peap n-GpenO uile,
ba momop in c-fc aen uije.

Capiat) t)o each oo cac ^pai^,
ocup b6 Da cac cdnaio,
uinji o'op I cino cac lip,
o Dpobaip CO Oui-binip.

Uapjao Do aball cac lip,
ocup Dpoi^ean jan eiplip,
ocup ^apba, — mop m sp^i^* —
in cac aen baile a n-6pinD.

Cap^aD piji n-6penn do,

Do Conjal Claen, jcap ba p6,
mo bec-pi, 56p mop m ail,
im aipD-pij uile ap Ullcaib.

Q eDail pen pe bliaDain,

Do-pum a h-6pinn lar-jlam,
m'eDail-pi a h-Ullcaib, jan on,
a cabaipc pop Do Conjal.

Cap^aD m'each ip m'eippeaD do.
Do Chonjal Claen, jep ba p6.

Dul

* I offered, — Cap^opo, is the ancient DomhnalPs own palace, where he had the

form of the pret first person sing, indie, principal saints of Ireland assembled,
mood of the verb now written oaip^m, in ^ Fariy lip. — LiB^ an earthen fort, is an

the present tense, ind. activa old word still used to denote the entrench-

Dun na naemh. — " Fortress of the ments which the ancient Irish formed for

saints.** This is but a poetical name for defence around their houses.

»3i

And an egg of gold along with them

On the top of each vat.
I offered to Congal Claen**,

When he was at Dun na naemh*,

The blessing of the men of Erin all,

It was a great mulct for one egg.
There was offered him a steed from every stud,

And a cow out of every herd,

An ounce of gold for every fort^

From Drobhais* to Duibh-inis**.
There was offered him an apple-tree in every fort,

And a sloe-tree, without fail.

And a garden, — ^great the grant, —

In every townland in Erin.
The sovereignty of Erin was even offered

To Congal Claen, though it was too much,

And that I should be, though great the disgrace.

Sovereign over all Ulster only.
His own profits for a year

Raised from fair-surfaced Erin,

And my profits out of Ulster, without diminution.

Were to be given moreover to Congal
My steed and battle-dress were offered

To Congal Claen, though it was too much.

And

s Drobhais. — t)poBaip, now Drowis, a Island, a name generally Anglicised Di-

river which flows out of Lough Melvin, nWu There are so many islands of this

in the north-west of the county of Leitrim, name in Ireland, that it is difficult to de-

and falls into the bay of Donegal, at Bun- termine which of them is here alluded to ;

drowis, on the confines of the counties of but this Duibh-inis must be looked for on

Leitrim and Donegal the eastern coast on a parallel with the

^ Duibk-inU. — DuiB-inip, L e. Black Biver Drowis.

132

Dul Dom' opuim-pi pop m'each,
1 piaonaipi allmapac.

Capjat) 00 Conjal na cpec,
fee anbail ina emec;
capjaD Do a nf a OeipeaO pein,
o'op ip o'aipjec, na 615-peip.

CapjaD na cpi cpica,

ooneoch po b'peapp ^m Cempaij,
oeup peiach pip nap jab eac,
00 Conjal, Do cuip Cempaeh,
cimc eaeh cipe cairpeo t)e,
ocup baili eac cuaire.

Capjao pleao, ba mop m ail,
Do Chonjal Claen, a Uempaij,
jan neac Da oenum, rmao n-jal,
ace mat) pij ocup pijan,
jan neac D'a h-ol, monap n-Dil,
ace mac mna no pip D'Ullcaib.

CapjaD ap m-bennacc pa peac,
icip laec ocup cleipec,
ap Gonial Claen cpiche m Scail,
ap pm uile Do jabail.

CapjaD ap luiji pa peac,
inp laec ocup cleipec,
05 cucaD ap clap ille,
nach cap ace cpia caipipe.

^ In presence of the etrangers, — This was stories of most parts of Ireland,

a token of humiliation on the part of the J Crich an Scail. — Cpice m Scail, the

monarch. Instances of this kind of humi- country of Seal, was the ancient name of

liation are numerous in the traditional a territory in Ulster, but its situation we

133

And liberty to mount off my back on my steed

In presence of the strangers*.
There was offered to Congal of the plunders

A great reparation in his injury ;

There was offered him whatever he himself should say,

Of gold, of silver, to his full demand.
There were offered the three eastern cantreds,

The best around Tara,

And a shield against which battle avails not,

To Congal, the prop of Tara,

A cantred in every territory should be his,

And a townland of every cantred.
There was offered a banquet, — ^great to me was the disgrace, —

To Congal Claen at Tara,

To prepare which there should be none employ ed^ — what an honor!

But kings and queens only,

Of which none should partake — ^gracious deed —

But the son of an Ultonian man or woman.
Our blessing was offered respectively.

Both from the laity and clergy.

To Congal Claen of Crich an Scail^

For accepting of these offers.
Our oath was offered respectively,

Both from the laity and clergy,

That the egg brought him on the table

Was not for insult but affection.

have not as yet been able satisfactorily to a part of the territory here called Crich

determine. There is a remarkable valley, an ScaiL See Book of Lismore in the Li-

anciently called Gleann an Scail, near brary of the Royal Irish Academy, foL

Slemmish, in the barony and county of 224, b^ a,
Antrim; and it is probable that it formed

134

O nap gab-puin pn wile,

uann-p a cinca in aen uige,

ni h-eicean oun ppea^a panD

ni ap a eojla pop caipjpcam.
O nap jab-pan pin po pep,

cabpaiD-pi 66 a nf cumjep,

Dfiine m mebul in moo,

noca DI15 oemun D1I500.
Qm joipcibc pa 06 oe,

am ailcpe ocup am ait)e ;

CO cpapcpa Oia a Da Idim,

ap m cia 00 nf m ecaip,
TDo oebaio ip Congail Claen

ip Debaio ellci pe laej,

nebaio mic ip a macap,

ip cpom oepi Deapbpachap.
ITlo 5le6-pa ip Congail pd'n clao,

ip jleo mic ip a acap,

ip imapbab capac cam

nf ma cucao m cac pm.
TTle po cojaib Conjal Claen,

ocup a mac imapaen,

00 cojbup Gonial 'p a mac,

mmam oiap cubam, comnapc.

^ Foster-father. — Stanihurst speaks as beat them to a mummy, you may put them
follows, in regard to the fidelity between upon the rack, you may burn them upon
foster-brethren, in Ireland, Lib. !• p. 49 : — a gridiron, you may expose them to the
<« You cannot find one instance of perfidy, most exquisite tortures that the cruelest
deceit, or treachery among them ; nay, they tyrant can invent, yet you will never re-
are ready to expose themselves to all move them from that innate fidelity which
manner of dangers for the safety of those is grafted in them, you will never induce
who sucked their mother's milk; you may them to betray their duty.'' On this sub-

^35

As he has not accepted of all these

From me in reparation of the crime of the one egg, —

We need not give a weak response, —

It was not through feab of him we oflFered them.
As he has not accepted of these, as is known,

Give you to him what he desires,

With us the mode of giving it is no treachery,

' A demon is not entitled to forgiveness.'
I am* his foster-father^ doubly, indeed,

I am his fosterer and tutor :

May God strike down both the hands

Of him who doth injustice.
My battle with Congal Claen'

Is the battle of a doe with her fawn,

The battle of a son and his mother,

And the fight of two brothers.
My conflict with Congal in the field

Is the conflict of a son and a father,

The dispute of kind friends

Is the thing about which that battle is given.
It is I that reared Congal Claen,

And his son in like manner,

I reared Congal and his son ;

Dear to me are the noble, puissant pair.

From

ject the reader is also referred to the fol- benf — OiraiduB Cambren. Topographiay

lowing authorities : Dist. iiL c. 23, Camden's Ed. p. 745.

'* Moris namqne est patriie, nt si qui '* Ita de singulari et mutuo affectus vin-

nobilinm infantem nutriunt, deinceps non culo inter nutricios et alumnoe in Hiber-

minus genitoribus ejus in omnibus auxi- mi Giraldus Cambrensis in Topographia

lium exquirat.^' — Life of SL Codroe apud Hib. Dist. 3, a 23, et alii passim scri-

Colffanj Acta SS. p. 496, c. 10. bunt*' — (7o^an, Acta SS. p. 503, Note 48.

** Solum vero alumnis et collectaneis, si ^Con^C^aen. — TTlo oebaio ip Gondii

quid habent vel amoris vel lidei illud ha- Claen. — This shows the extraordinary

136

Do jlun Scannlam colaib jal,
t)o rojbupa in cup Conjal,
00 jlun Chonjail pa caem clii,
00 cojbupa pein paelcii.

La na jabai uaiTn-pi pin,

a mic Scannlain Sciac-lechain,
ca bpec beipe, moji in moo,
opm-pa, mapeao, ac aenop ?

^cbapa uaic, mao tnair lac ;
cabaip oam-pa, no oaj mac,
Do lam nfc, ip Do bean mair,
c'mjean ip Do pope po-jlap.

Noca bepi ace pino pe pino ;
bio me 00 ceine cimciU,
noc jonpa m jai opeman Oub;
noco olij Oeman oil^uo,

Qcai a c'aenap peac cac pi 5
'50m aimleap o cip 00 cip,
poo leapaijiup raipip pm,
o'n lo poo n-uc 00 macaip.

a laijne oo'n lee pi reap,
cicio CO cpen ip in cpeap,
cuimmjio pinO mac Ropa
oon c-ploj CO meo meap-jopa.

Q Chonnacca in comlainn cpuaio,
cuimmjio Ullcu ppi h-en-uaip
cuimmjio TTleob ip in cac,
ip Qilell mop, mac TTlajach.

affection the Irish had for their foster- Leinster. The celebrated Irish monarch

children- Cathaoir Mor was the seventh in direct

* Finn, the wa of Bom F»"" ^^^ descent from him, thus, Cathaoir, the son

Ropa He was a poet, and was king of ofFeidhlunFirurglas,8onofCormacGelta

137

From the knee of Scannlan of much valour

I took the hero Congal ;

From the knee of Congal of fair fame

I myself took Faelchu his son.
When thou wouldst not accept of these from me,

son of Broadshielded Scannlan,

What sentence dost thou pass, — it is o/* great moment, —

On me, from thy self alone, if so be that thou wilt not accept mt/ offers.
These will I accept from thee if thou wilt ;

Give me thy good son.

Thy hand from off thee, and thy good wife.

Thy daughter and thy very blue eye.
I will not give thee but spear for spear ;

1 will be thy surroimding fire ;

The terrific black javelin shall wound thee ;

* A demon is entitled to no forgiveness/
Thou art singular beyond every king,

Planning my misfortune from country to country.

Notwithstanding that I reared thee

From the day thy mother bore thee.
Ye Lagenians from the southern quarter.

Come mightily into the conflict ;

Remember Finn, the son of Ross*,

To the host of many active deeds.
Ye Connacians of hard conflict,

Remember the Ultonians for one hour :

Remember Medhbh in the battle".

And Ailell Mor, the son of Magach.

Gaeth, son of Nia-Corb, son of Cucorb, Eos. — Duald Mae Firbis, Geneal. (MS. in
son of Mogh-Corb, son of Conchobbar tbe Royal Irish Academy) p, 472.
Abhradhruadh, son of Finn File, son of ^ Remember MedM in the battle.^Cu\in'

IBISH ARCH. SOC. 6. T

138

a Lech TTlo^a bcpiuf buaiD,

qiecaib Ullcu rpia anbuain,

cuimmjfo C6pi na peariD,

ip mairi djlac Gpann.
a pipu TTliDe na mapc,

cicfb CO cpuaiD Y a compac,

cuimnf^iD Caipppe Nmpep

ip Gpc PinD, mac peDliineD.
Q cenel Gogam, mic Neill,

ip a Qippalla o'en-ppcim,

bpipfb beipnn pa bap comaip,

cabpaib bap peiom aen conaip.
Luap m bap lamaib co m-blaio,

ocup maille in bap cpai^cib,

nap ab' ceim piap na paip,

ace ceim popam, peaparhail.

Q 6eopa6a, ip me bap cenn,

a am pa aille Gpenn,

n(^i6 nieob. — Olioll and Meave were king Gleann Scoithin, near the mountain called

and queen of Connaught immediately pre- aflter him, Cathair Conroi, L e. Curoi's

ceding the first century of the Christian Fort, to the south-west of Tralee, in the

era. They carried on a war with Ulster present county of Kerry, where he was

for seven years, to which king Domhnall murdered by Cuchullin, the most distin-

is here made to allude, to remind the Con- guished of the champions of the Red

nacians of their ancient animosity to the Branch. — See Ogygia, Part III. c 46, and

Ultonians. Keating, in his account of Conchobhar

° Remember Curi, — Cuiihntjfo Cupi, Mac Nessa and his champions. See also

i. e. Curoi Mac Dairi, who was cotempo- O'Conor's Dissertations, for some account

rary with the heroes of the Red Branch in of the famous people called the Emaans

Ulster. He was king of the Emaans of of Munster.

West Munster inmiediately preceding the ° Cairbre Niafer, — Caipppe Niapep

first century of the Christian era, and is was king of Leinster, and cotemporary

said to have resided in the upper part of with Olioll and Meave, king and queen of

139

O Leth Mogha who are wont to gain the victory

Oppress the Ultonians with eagerness, .

Remember Curi° of the spears,

And the chiefs of the youths of the Ernaans.
Ye men of Meath, of steeds,

Come vigorously into the conflict ;

Remember Cairbre Niafer**,

And Ere Finn, the son of Feidhlimidh**.
Ye race of Eoghan, the son of Niall,

And ye Oirghialls of the same stock*",

Break breaches before you,

Direct your prowess in one path.
Let there be rapidity in your hands of fame,

And slowness in your feet ;

Let there be no step west or east,

But a firm, manly step.

Ye sojourners, I am your head,

Ye splendid soldiers of Erin',

Connaught, and the heroes of the Red cestoroftheHy-FeilimedhaorO'Murphys,

Branch in Ulster. — See Duald Mac Firbis's who were settled at and around TuUow, in

Genealogical Book, pp. 437, 438. See also the now county of Carlow; but the Editor

Book of Lecan, where this Cairbre is said has not discovered any account of his hos-

to be of Teamhair (Tara), but it adds, tility to the Ultonians.

" not of Teamhair, in Bregia, for the mo- ^ OirgkiaUa of the same Block, — Q cenel

narch, Conaire More, resided there at the 6050111 ihic H61II, if a Qip^iallu o'en-

time, but at Teamhair Brogha Nia, in pp^iiii. — The race of Eoghan and the de-

Leinster. At the same time Finn, his fa- scendants of the three Collas are of the

ther, resided at Aillinn, and Ailill, at Cru- same race, for both are sprung from Cair-

achain." bre Liffechair, who was monarch of Ireland

P Ere Finn^ the son of Feidldimidk, — from the year 279 to 296.

6pc Pmn, mac Peiolimio; — He was the ^Ye splendid soldiers of Erin. — Q aih-

grandson of Enna Cinnsellach, king of pa aiUe 6penn. — The word cnhap is used

Leinster, in the fourth century, and an- throughout the Irish Annals in the sense

I40

a ceicepnn menmnac co m-blam,
cac im pi5 Cempac rabpaib.

lap fin po epjiDap uaipli ocuf apo-rhaitn 6penn pe bpofcuo
T)a m-bpiacap fin, .1. cac cpiach co n-a cinol, ocuf cac cmseaDach
CO n-a cach-focpaioi. If oe fin po fumijic a floi^, ocuf po co-
paijic a cupait), ocuf po cef caijic a rpen-pip, ocuf po h-eoic a
n-aipD-pijpaio t)'d cacbappaibcumoaijjocuf o'll-fciaraibimDea^la,
ocuf po nocraic a neapr-claiome niam-poillfi a lamaib a laec-
pait)i; po fjlann-beapcaijic a fceirh ap juaillib a n-jaifceoac ;
po cliar-comapDaijir a cpaifeca compaic, ocuf a Icabap-jaich-
lenna lairpec, jop ba aipbe aijbeil anpaca larpein eruppu ocuf
a n-ecrpainn, pe h-mnapba a n-eap copac. Ocuf o pobf ar apmoa,
innilln, uplama, pa'n innuf fin, po heajpao aen cac a&bal, of-
capba, inopi^ o*peapaib Gpenn in aen mao, pa opeic n-Oelb-Oigpaip
n-Oomnaill, map popglep m c-ujoap:

of a hireling soldier, a mercenary ; and it
is used in the Leabhar Breac to translate
the Latin sateUiteSy as in the following
passage : '* Unitas Diaboli et satellitum
ejus, &C., bale 1 m-bia oenru oiubail
ocuf a opoc-amuf ." — FoL 24, by a.

* Ye higkminded kernes, — Q ceirepnn.
— Ceithem properly signifies a band of
light armed soldiers. It is a noun of
multitude in the Irish language, but the
English writers who have treated of Ire-
land have Anglicised it kern, and formed
its plural kerns, as if kern meant a single
soldier.

Ware, in his Antiquities of Ireland,
c. 1 2, says that the Irish kerns were light
armed soldiers, and were called by Henry

of Marleburgh Turbietdiy and by others
Turharii; that they fought with javelins
tied with strings, with darts, and knives,
called skeynes.

It is remarkable, that in this battle no
mention is made of the CroHowglass, the
heavy armed Irish soldier described by
Spenser and others; indeed it is almost
evident from this silence that Spenser is
correct in his conjecture that the Irish
borrowed the gallowglass from the early
English settlers. His words are : " For
Grall-ogla signifies an English servitour or
yeoman. And he being so armed in a
long shirte of mayle down to the calfe of
his leg with a long broad axe in his hand,
was then pedes gravis armaturce, and was

141

Ye highminded kemes* of fame,
Give battle around the king of Tara."

After this the nobles and magnates of Erin rose, being excited
by these words, that is, every lord with his muster, and every pro-
vincialist with his battle-forces. They then arrayed their forces,
accoutred their heroes, tested their mighty men, and harnessed their
arch-princes in their protecting helmets* and defending shields ; and
they unsheathed their strong glittering swords in the hands of their
heroes ; they adjusted their shields on the shoulders of their cham-
pions ; they raised their warlike lances" and their broad javelins, so
that they formed a terrible partition between them and their border-
ranks, to expel their enemies. And when they were armed, arrayed,
and prepared in this manner, one great heroic battalion of the men
of Erin was arrayed imder the bright countenance oikinfr Domhnall ;
as the author testifies :

" They

instead of the armed footman that now
weareth a corslet, before the corslet was
used or almost invented." — State of Ire-
landy Dublin Ed. p. 117.

' Protecting helmets. — "Oa cacBuppaiB
cumoai^. — Nothing has been yet disco-
vered to prove what kind of helmet the
ancient Irish cathbharr was, that is,
wliether it were a cap of strong leather,
checkered with bars of iron, or a helmet
wholly of iron or brass, such as was used
in later ages. One fact is established, that
no ancient Irish helmet, made of the latter
materials, has been as yet discovered.

" Warlike lances. — CI cpaij echu coiii-
paic. — The ancient Irish weapon called
cpaipeac, was a lance with a long handle.

It is curious that there is no mention of
the battle-axe in this story. The Irish had
battle-axes of steel in the time of Giraldus,
but he says that they borrowed them from
the Norwegians and Danes. The military
weapons used by the Irish in the twelfth
century are described by Giraldus Cam-
brensis as follows : Distill, c 10.

^* Tribus tamen utuntur armorum ge-
neribus, lanceis non longis et jacidis binis :
in quibus et Basdensium mores sunt imi-
tatL Securibus quoque amplis fabrili
diligentia optim^ chalybatis, quas a Nor-
wagiensibus et Ostmannis sunt mutuati."

Ledwich says that the lance was sixteen
feet or more in length. — See his Antiqui-
ties, Second Ed. p. 283.

142

Do ponfacap aen each Dib,
irip pig-oamna ocup pij,
po laopac amoabach pciac,
pa DoTYinall popaiD, pmo-liac.

dp pin po epi5 rpiach buionech Caillren, .1. Domnall, mac
(leoa, pa rpi 1 cimccll m cara ap na copu^aD, t)*pippu5aD a imell
pa'n apmoacc, ocup pa n-aicbeli, ocup 00 oecain a n-oeipi6 pa
Dichpacr, ocup pa oe^-jnimaiji, ocup t>o ceprugao a ropaij pa
rigc ocup pa rpealTnaigecc, uaip ip amlaio po bui bpollac bopb-
jep baob-lapamain, booba m cara comolura, comejaip pm ap na
roja 00 cpen-peapaib Clann Conaill, ocup Gogam, ocup (Iipjiall,
ocup po mnpaij m c-aipo-pij jup m maigm a m-boi TTlaelooap
ITlaca, CO maicib Clami Colla pa cneap, ocup ba h-eaD po paio-
eapcap piu: oligci-pi Dul rap cumjaipi caich o'poppac Ulao, ocup
t)'innapba allmapac, uaip nfp ciuin bap comaibcep-pi pa'n cpich
00 copnaoap na Colla o'popba pip-Oilip Ulao, o T^lmX) Rije co
beappamam, ocup o Qch m imaipg co pmo, ocup co poicip, map
popjlep m c-ujoap :

peapann (Iipjiall, luaicep lint),
o Qch in imaip5 co Pino,
o T^lmt) R15C piap CO pe,
CO beappamam a m-bpeipne.

5op

" OirghiaUs. — The territory of tlie Oir-
ghialla was divided from Ulidia by Lougli
Neagh and the Lower Bann, and by the
remarkable trench called the Danes' Cast.
In a MS. in Trinity College, Dublin, (H,
3. 18. p. 783.) it is stated that the country
of the Clann Colla, called Oirghiall, was
bounded by the three noblest rivers in

Ulster, viz., the Boyne, the Bann, the
Erne, and the Finn.

"^ Atk an Imairg, — ^L e. the ford of the
contest, must have been the ancient name
of a ford on the Lower Bann.

^Finn, — 8iap co pino, — L e. from Ath
an Imairg westwards, to the Biver Finn,
which falls into the Moume at the town

" They made one battalion of them,
Both princes and kings,
They closed in a circle of shields,
Around the firm, fair grey Domhnall."

Then the populous lord of Taillteann, Domhnall, the son of Aedh,
arose and walked thrice around the army when drawn up into battle
array, to examine whether its border was well armed and terrible ;
to see whether the rear was diligent and prepared for valiant deeds ;
to examine whether the van was in thick array and well accoutred.
For the fierce, sharp, fiery, terrible breast of that well-set and well-
arranged battalion was composed of mighty men selected out of the
Cinel-Conaill, Cinel-Eoghain, and Oirghialls'' ; and the monarch made
towards the place where Maelodhar Macha, with the nobles of the
Clann CoUa, were stationed, and said to them : " It behoves you to
surpass the power of all in overwhelming the Ultonians and expelling
the foreigners, for your neighbours have not been quiet in conse-
quence of the district which the CoUas wrested from the reaV country
of the Ultonians, namely^ from Glenn Righe to Berramain, and from
Ath an Imairg to the River Finn, and to Foithir;" as the author tes-
tifies :

" The land of Airghiall, let it be mentioned by us.
Extended from Ath an Imairg'' to the Finn*,
And from Glinn Righe' westwards directly,

To Bearramain in Breifne*.

Until

of LiffonL in the present county of Do- and the Danes' Cast, which was the boun-

negal- dary between Ulidia and Oirghialla (see

' Glenn Righe is the ancient name of note v, supra)y extends close to it.
the glen through which the Newry river ' Bearramain in Brei/he, in the now

Hows. — See note on line 34 of the Circuit county of Cavan. There is another cele-

of Muircheartach, p. 31. It is on the con- brated place of the name on the coast of

fines of the counties of Down and Armagh, Kerry, six miles westwards of Tralee.

5o|i coy^ain TTluipceaprac nieap
pe claiTiD na Colla cneip-5el,
o '^Imx) Con, puarap na cpeach,
CO h-Ualpaij, Daipe oaipbpech.

Ro gellpar jappaio, gniTh-apnaib, jlan-apTnac Clann Colla,
comat) mc but) aipigio aij o'peapaib Gpenn, ocup ma od compaiceo
Conjal ocup TTlaelooap TTlaca, con ciuclaipcfb Conjal Da n-ana
pe h-imbualab; ocup muna ana, bit) innapcoa ingabala D'd eipi.
ba pailit) m plair t)o na ppejapraib pin, ocup po impo a a^ai6 ap
aipD-pijpait) Q1I15, .1. ap Cpunnmael, mac Suibne, co coonacaib
clann oipDniji Gojain ime, ocup ba h-eat) po paioiupcap piu: Cia
t>dna cuibt)! claen-bpeca Conjail t)o cope, na uaill-bpiarpa Ulao
D^fpliujao, na t)0 commpjiuD Clann Conaill ap popbaipib popeicni,
indo aipD-pi5pai6 Q1I15? uaip m h-eanna aen laime, ocup ni
h-aicme aen acap, ocup ni h-iappma aen mdrap, na aen alra, na
aen caipbeapra, t)a cac-cineb comccneoil ap pean-ainmniugao
plomoci o'peapaib Gpenn, acr pinne ocup pib-pi, map popglep m
c-ujoap :

Gojan

• Until thevifforousMuirekeartack wrested. 5015, mic Qiremuin (Bookof Fenagh, MS^
— 5°r copain muipceapcach meup — fol. 47, *), now the city of Londonderry.
This was Muircheartach More Mac Earca, It appears firom Irish history that the de-
head of the Cinel-Eoghain race, and mo- scendants of the Collas possessed a oon-
narch of Ireland from the year 5 1 3 to 533. eiderable portion of the present county of

** Glenn Con, — J^eann Con — This Londonderry, till they were dispossesed

would appear to be the glen now called by MuirchertachMor Mac Erca, the Hector

Glen-Con- Kane, and situated in the parish of the Cinel-Eoghain. But after this pe-

ofBalljrnascreen, barony of Loughinsholin, riod the Cinel-Eoghain encroached to a

and county of Deny. The village of Dra- great extent upon the country of the

perstown Cross is in it Oirghialla or Clann Colla, who, in their

^ To Ualraig^ at the oak-bearing Derry, turn, encroached still further upon the

— Co h-Ualpai^ Oaipe Daipbpeach, — Ulidians or Clanna Rudhndghe.

ie. the place originally called DoipeChaU ^Crunnmad^ the son ofSuil^ne^ — ^L e.

Until the vigorous Muircheartach* wrested,

From the descendants of the fair-skinned CoUas,
The tract extending from Glen Con** in a battle of plunders
To Ualraig at the oak-bearing Derry""."

The valiant, bright-armed host of the Clann CoUa promised that
they would be the most remarkable for bravery of all the men of
Erin, and that should Congal and Maelodhar Macha engage, Congal
would be slaiil if he should wait for blows, but if not, that he
would be afterwards led captive and fettered. The king was glad
on account of these responses, and he turned his face upon the
princes of Ailech, namely, upon Crunnmael, the son of Suibhne**,
with the chiefs of the illustrious race of Eoghan about him, and said
to them : " In whom is it more becoming to check the imjust judg-
ments of Congal, and to humble the haughty words of the Ultonians,
or to protect the race of Conall against violent assaults, than in the
princes of Ailech ? For no two tribes* of the old surnames of the
men of Erin are the vessels ybr/zi^rf by one hand, the race of one father,
the offspring of one mother, of one conception, of one fostering, but
we and you ; as the author testifies :

" Eoghan

the son of Suibhne Meann, who was mo- cholic decline, of which he died the year

narch of Ireland from the year 615 to after. This fact is commemorated in the

628. following quatrain, quoted by the Four

* For no two tribeSy S^e, — Eoghan, the Masters under the year 465 :

son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, and 4. rr 1. • ^ • vi n

^ * ^. , T^ , . , ^'^ ^^^ eoian, mac Weill,
the ancestor of the Cinel-£offham and ^ t* 1.

„ ^ „ , - , ^. , We oeopaib, — ba mair a maoin, —

Conall Gulban, the ancestor of the Cmel-

Conaill, were twin-brothers; and, accord-
ing to Irish history, so attached to each
other, that when Conall was slain in 464, By which it appears that Eoghan was
Ec^han was so much affected with grief buried at Uisee chaoin^ now Eskaheen, in
for his death, that he fell into a melan- lujshowen, not far from thecity of Derry.

IRISH ARCH. 80C. 6. U

Cpe ecc ChonaiU na 5-cleaf 5-cpuaiD,
TJo B-puil a uaij a n-Uipce caoin."

146

6o5an ip Conall, cen cpao,

oiap coimmeara, cai6, comldn,
o'en-pecc po compepD, rniao n-jal,
ocup o'aen-caipbeapc pucaD.

Conio aipe pm ip mann pemm ocup po^bala, paipe ocup poc-
pai6ecr,buai6ocup bdijjOcup bparaippi,popa5paDapap n-airpecha
a^ainD, .1. Go^an diponiji, ocup Conall copnamach, map popglep
in c-ujoap :

Inano bpiachap ooib 'gd n^,
o p6 paopaic ip Caipnij,
na od m-bpacaip, ^puao ppi ^puaio,
inant) buai6, mano oimbuam.

Ocup Dm pop, ni uil o'popecm aipo-pije na t)o rp6i6ib cijep-
naip a5 m oa catr-aipecc comceneoil pi ap a cell, acr mdo paep-
pluaijeo pochaip, ocup comepji cara 1 combaij m aipechra uaino
'5a ceigcTna m ci^epnup; no ap a n-uipniepa in aipo-pije; ocup
cm epit)ein ano, ip eicean comruapupral cinnci o cdch o'a cell
cap a cenn pin, map popgle]* m c-ujoap:

In can bup pig R15 O1I15

ap plog Conaill ceo-juinig,

olijio cuapupcal cac ain,

6 cd bpu^aib co h-aipo-pi^.
In can bup pij R15 Conaill

ap ploj Gojam jan oobamg,

OllglD

^ The same bles»%ng.—St. Patrick blessed ract of Easroe. — See Tripartite Life of St

£oglian at Ailech, and foretold the future Patrick, Part II. c 113, 117, and 118.

greatness of the Cinel-Eoghain. He also In an ancient historical Irish tale, pre-

blessed his brother Conall Gulban and served in a Vellum MS., in the Library of

Fergus, the son of Conall, on the brink of Trinity College, Dublin (Class H. 2. 16. p.

the River Erne, near the celebrated caj^a- 316), it is stated, that St Cairnech of Tui-

147

** Eoghan and Conall, without doubt,

Two of equal estimation, pure, perfect,

Were conceived together, — ^honourable deed, —

And at one birth were bom.

" Wherefore our fathers, Eoghan the renowned, and Conall, the
defensive, have bequeathed unto us the same prowess and gifts,
freedom and noble-heartedness, victory, aflfection, and brotherly love;
as the author testifies :

" The same blessing' to them at their house.
Since the time of Patrick and Caimech,
To the two brothers, cheek to cheek, is left,
And the same success and ill-success.

" And moreover, these two warlike tribes of the same race have no
monarchical controul or lordly ascendency over each other, save only
that the party who happens to possess the lordship or the monarchy
should receive auxiliary forces, and a rising out for battle yrom the
other ; and notwithstanding this, they are bound to give each other
an equal fixed stipend, as the author testifies :

" When the king of Ailech is king*

Over the race of Conall the warlike.

He is bound to give a stipend to all,

From the brughaidh [farmer] to the arch-chief

When a king of the race of Conall is king

Over the race of Eoghan, without opposition.

len, now Dulane, near Kells, in the county the battles fought for a just cause,
of East Meath, blessed the descendants of > When the king of Ailech is king. —

Eoghan and Conall, and ordered them to For an account of the regulations here re^

carry the three following consecrated reli- ferred to, see the Leabhar na g-Ceart,

quaries in their standards, viz., the Cathtich preserved in the Books of Lecan and Bal-

[C9Ah'],Clog'Padraig,BJidMisaehCairnighy lymote, in the Library of the Royal Irish

which would ensure them success in all Academy.

148

objiD in cet)na oib-fiii,
o bur ai|it)-pi5 h-e uaifcib.
Ni 0I15 ceccap oib nmlle,
rap a cenn fin o'a ceile,
ace pluaijeo pe peim paca,
If comep^i cpuao caca.

ba h-eao inpo pui^li ocup pp^S^P^^ ^^ h-Gogan-claint)! ap h-ua
n-Qinmipech, co n-gebofp curpuma pe cdc cui^eo o'apt)-cuiceDaib
Gpeno Do conjbail cletn, ocup t)o copnum cac-laicpec, ocup cm
lac apo-maice Gpenn uile do impobao ap h-ua n-Qinmipec ap aen
pe h-Ullcaib ocup pe h-allmapcaib, co nac bept)ip a bpoja o'ujpa
na o'poipeicen imapcaio uao-pom na uainb-pium, ace a m-bepao
Conjal ap a caipome, no cac 00 com-aipleach a cell ap laraip in
Idire pin.

6a pailio in plaic t)o na puislib pm, ocup po int)ca uaicib co
cac copnamac Conaill, ocup ba h-eao po paioeaprap piu : ip oicpa,
ocup ip Ducpaccaije oligcfpe cinneD ap each, ma cac car-aipecc
comceneoil t)'dp recaipcepa gup rpapra ; uaip ip o'd bap cmeD
bap cenn, ocup ip o'd bap n-aipecr bap n-aipo-pig, ocup ip a^aib
po pa^ao poplamup placa peap pumiD, muno pon ocup imcongbail
ecra, ocup enij, ocup en^uma na h-Gpenn, map popglep nmpce
Neill Nai-jiallaij :

TTlo plaic 00 Conall ceo calj,

mo jaipcet) t)* Gogan aipm-oeapg,
mo cpica 00 Chaipppi cam,
m'amainpi n' Gnna inmain.

Ocup

^ Cairbre Caipppi, or Caipbpi, was county of Longford, where the mountain

the third son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, Sliabh Cairbre still retains his name; and

and ancestor of the Cinel-Cairbre, who also in the territory of Carbury, in the

were settled in the north of the present north of the county of Sligo.^See Tripart

149

He is bound to give them the same,
As he is monarch over them.
They are not entitled on either side
Beyond this from each other,

Except to furnish forces to maintain a prosperous reign,
And a hard rising out for battle,"

The speech and reply of the race of Eoghan to the grandson of
Ainmire was, that they would do as much as any one province of the
great provinces to sustain the front and maintain the field of battle,
and that even though the arch-chieftains of all Erin should turn
against the grandson of Ainmire, together with the Ultonians and
foreigners, they would not carry off any advantage of battle or
force from him nor from them, except what Congal would effect
through friendship, or from both sides slaughtering each other on
that day.

The king was joj^ul for these responses, and he turned away from
them to the defending battalions of the race of Conall, and said to
them, " You are bound to surpass all more zealously and more dili-
gently than any other warlike hosts of our relatives whom we have
as yet exhorted, because your head is of your tribe, and your monarch
is one of your own assembly, and to you has been bequeathed the
supremacy over the men of the West, which is the same as the main-
taining of the achievements, hospitality, and valour of Erin ; as the
words of Niall of the Nine Hostages' testify :

" My lordship / bequeath to Conall of the hundred swords.
My chivalry to Eoghan of red weapons.
My territories to the comely Cairbre**,
My foresight to the beloved Enna*.

And

Life of St Patrick, Part II. c. 1 13, Ogygia, ^ Enna was the youngest son of king
Part III. c. 85. NialL His descendants were settled in

Ocuf t>in ip oipb-p pupailrep, ocup in bup leir leajap, cuinji-
oecc caca car-lairpech Do conjbail, uaip ip ib-pi cuipci cenna,
rpoma, cpena, cuinioc, rupcbala ramnaijcn, ocup capb-peoijri
cpeap-lairjiec m ralman ; uaip ip lac cpaioeca bap cupao, ocup
cerpaoa bap cacmilet), ocup ppejapra bap pfplaec pfp-lairpeca
pocaijci buipbi, ocup baij, ocup bpach-mepoacc m beaca, map
popglep in c-ujoap :

Conall pe copcao cara,
pe peccji peim pij-placa,
buipbe, ICC, ip engnum oil,
japr, gaipp, ip cpuap a Conoll.

Ocup Dm ip pe pine caca pip agaib-pi aippoena na n-arap&a
o'aicpip, ocup o'pip-abpao, .1. a cpo t)o copnarh, ocup a comapbup
t)o conjbail, ocup Duchup jan oilpiugat); ocup oin ip Do comapbup
Conaill ^^^l^Q^j ^V jcni'ibaip, Gpiu co n-a h-uppannaib, ocup ni
oligripe a 0il]»iu5aD ; ocup ip t)o comapbup m Chonaill ceDna pm
aipechup echca, ocup eni^, ocup enjnuma na h-6penn 00 coimec,
ocup 00 conjbail, ocup t)o cuimniujao a cluapaib ocup a cpaioe-
oaib bap cacmileD ; conm lar pin na pecca ocup na po-Oucupa po
pd^aoap bap n-airpecha a^aib ap plicc bap pen-arap, o ploinorep
bap paep cuaca, .1. Conall glonn-mep, gaiclennac, jlac-laiDip,
japb-ppeajapcac ^u^^^^^^- C[cc cena, po pat) cuba, ocup po pao
rainpemao oa bap cuacaib, oa mao ropaib po cuireo cloc-jnima
Conaill gan congbdil, uaip ba h-epit>e peigi popneaprmap pine
neapc-clamoi Neill, map popjlep m r-ujoap:

Conall mac Neill, mic Gchach,
cuingio cpuaiD, calma, cpeacach,

Tir-Enda, a territory containing thirty- Lough Swilly, and in the territory of
quarters of land, in the present county of Cinel-Enda, near the hill of Uisneach, in
Ponegal, lying between Iiough Foyle and Westmeath.

" And, therefore, it is of you it is demanded, and to your charge it
is left, to maintain the leadership of every battle field ; for you are
the strong, heavy, mighty, immoveable pillars and battle props of the
land, because the hearts of your heroes, the minds of your warriors,
the responses of your good champions, are the true basis and support
of the fierceness, valour, and vigour of the world ; as the author
testifies :

" Conall is distinguished for supporting the battle
For the justice of the reign of a royal prince ;
Fierceness, clemency, and great valour.
Liberality, venom, and hardiness are in Conall.

And it behoves the family of every one of you to imitate and
worship the attributes of your progenitor, by defending his fold, by
maintaining his succession, and by not allowing his patrimony to
be lessened ; and of the patrimony of Conall Gulban, from whom
you are spnmg, is Erin with her divisions, and you should not allow
it to be circumscribed ; and it is the duty of the successor of the same
Conall to support, maintain, and impress upon the ears and hearts of
his warriors, the splendour, achievements, hospitality, and chivalry
of Erin. Such then were the ordinances and the great hereditary
prerogatives which your forefathers bequeathed imto you, derived
from the ancestor from whom your free country is named, viz., the
puissant, javelin-dexterous, strong-handed, and resolute Conall Gul-
ban. And it were a great censure and reproach to your tribes,
should it be your mishap not to continue the renowned achievements
of Conall, for he was the chief prop in strength of the puissant sons
of Niall, as the author testifies :

" Conall, son of Niall, son of Eochaidh,
A hardy, brave, plundering hero ;

There

^5^

T)i boi oo |id-claino 05 Niall
corhmair Conaill na a compial.

ConiD cuimnisn ceneoil aipo-pij Gpenn conice pm.

C16 cia lap ap p^P^^'^^ mnpci m aipo-pij, po peapjaijeD peap
rojoa, cul-bopb, cuaipcepcac, a cuaipcepc cara copnamaij
Conaill, pe bpopcuo bpiachap, ocup pe cecapcaib ci^epnaip m
apo-placa h-uf Qinmipec, .1. Conall, mac baeoain, mic Ninoeoa,
o Uhulaij Daci, ocup 6 cpachc-popcaib Uopai5i in cuaipcipc ;
uaip nip lirh leipein a laiDiuo, ocup nip mian a mop-jpepacc ; ocup
po oeipig a oub-5ai n-Dibpaicri, jupa achcuip upcap co h-ampep-
^ach, ancellioi, ap h-ua n-Qinrriipech. T?o nncapcap cpiup rojaiDi,
cpiar-aipech, d cepr-lap cara copnumaij Conaill, ap incaib m
aipo-pi5 ^i^ip 6 ocup m r-upcap, .1. TTlaine, ocup 6nna, ocup Qip-
nelach, ocup po rojbaoap cpi learan pceirh lan-mopa i piaOnaipi
Tia plara pop einp e ocup in c-upcap; ace cena 00 cuaio cepc-5a
Conaill cpep na cpi pciaraib Dpuim ap Dpuim, ocup cpep in n-oeip5
n-opuimni5 oiojainn, .1. op-pciac oipij m aipo-pij co n-oecaio m
naijep Dibpaicrhe, oap bpogaD a bibaipci, 1 cul-mums m caiman,
irip oa rpaijiD aipo-pi5 Gpenn.

Duppan nac ac bpumne Do bean, ocup nac rpeo cpaiDi po
clannupcap, ap Conall; uaip, od maoeab, m aichippijreapa coo-
nacu cacha map cpen-peapaib m ruaipcipc, uaip ni oluij ocup ni

DI1510

j Baedan, who was the son ofNinnidh Bpaicce. — The jai or dart referred to

Baedan, Mac Ninnedba, the father of this throughout this battle was the jaculum

Conall, was monarch of Ireland for one mentioned by GiraldusCambrensis, in Dist.

year, A. D. 571. HI. c. 10, where he says that the Irish

* Ttdach Dathi^ is probably the place had three kinds of weapons, viz., short

now called Tullagh-O'Begly, situated in lances, two darts, and broad axes. Led-

the N.W. of the Barony of Kilmacrenan, in wich says (Antiq. second ed. p. 283), that

the Co. of Donegal, opposite Tory Island. " the jaculum or dart is translated javelin,

» BlfKk-darting javdin — OuB-jai oiu- and described to be an half pike, five feet

153

There was not one of the great sons of Niall
So good as Conall, or so hospitable "

So far the family-reminiscent exhortations of the monarch of Erin.

But to whomsoever this speech of the monarch appeared super-
fluous, a haughty, fierce-faced northman of the northern part of the
protecting battalion of Conall, became enraged at the verbal exhor-
tation and the lordly instructions of the monarch the grandson of
Ainmire, namely, Conall, the son of Baedan, who was the son of
Ninnidh^ from Tulach Dathi^, and the high-cliffed strand of Tory, in
the north, for he did not Uke to be exhorted at ally and he did not
like to be excited ; he prepared his black-darting javelin', and sent a
shot spitefully and rashly at the grandson of Ainmire". But three
select lordly chieftains from the middle of the defensive battalion
of Conall, namely, Maine, Enna, and Aimelach, observing his de-
sign, sprang before the king, and between him and the shot, and
raised three great wide shields before the king and between him
and the shot, but the hard javelin of Conall passed through the
three shields back to back, and through the defensive Derg druim-
nech**, i. e. the golden shield of the monarch himself, so that the dis-
charged javelin passed off the side of its boss into the surface of the
ground between the feet of the monarch of Erin.

" Oh grief ! that it was not in thy breast it struck, and that it
was not thy heart it pierced," said Conall, " for then, thou wouldst
never again reproach such leaders of battle as the mighty men of the

north ;

and an half long." o Derg Druimnech, — i. e. the red-

°* Grandwn of Ainmire, — Ua dyn- backed, was a descriptive name of king

mipech is translated Nepos Ainmirech bj Domhnall's shield. — See the Tale of Deir-

Adamnan,LifeofColumba,Lib.3,a5. Inac- dre, in the Transactions of the Galic So-

cordance with which it has here been trans- ciety, p. 94, for the proper names of

lated " grandson of Ainmire" throughout Conor Mac Nessa, king of Ulster's arms.

IBISH ABCU. SOC. 6. X

J 54

oli^io ouir-pu clann Conaill Do laioiuD, na Do luaij-jp^F^^c, ace
muna paictfcea, ocup muna aipi^cea laije 'na lonn-jnimaib pe
bpumnib a m-biDbaD. Ocup acbepc na bpiachpa pa ann :

Ni DI15 Dej-pluaj D'up-5pe]^achc
Do cpiacaib ip cdinpemaD,
Q laiDiuD, a luacjpepacc,
Oppu mine h-aipigcea
Q nDfcpacc pe h-mnpaijiD.
Cach Conaill ip comDicpa
Re coj^num cac-lairpech ;
CeD 5pepachc a cupaD-pan
Q pep5 pein, a peapamlacc,
Q luinDi 'p a laiDipecc,
Q cpoDacc 'p a cobpaiDecc,
Q paipe 'p a peicpiji,
Q pecc pijDa po-gupmap
'5^1 m-bpopcaD co biDbaDaib.
bpopcaD pop Da pepaib-pim
Qigci oppo a n-epcapac,
Slega paena ap paen^abail,
1 lamaib a laec biDbaD,
Ic paicill a ppireolma,

^ It is not lawful to exhort a brave host, —
This is the kind of composition called
Rithlearg. It is a species of irregular ex-
temporaneous rhapsody.

Poems of this description are generally
put into the mouths of Druids while un-
der the influence of inspiration, or of he-
roes while under great excitement, as in
the present instance. Many curious exam-

ples of this kind of metre are to be met with
in the ancient Irish historical tale called
Forbais Droma Damhghaire, preserved
in the Book of Lismore. It is curious to
observe the effect which the writer of this
tale wishes to produce in this place. He
introduces Conall, the son of a king, the
mightiest of the mighty, and the bravest
of the brave, as actually attempting to

^55

north ; for it was not meet or lawful for thee to exhort or excite the
race of Conall, unless thou hadst seen and perceived weakness in
their deeds in fronting their enemies." And he said these words :

" It is not lawfiil to exhort a brave host" :
On chieftains it is a reflection
To be urged on, or exhorted,
Unless in them thou hadst observed
Irresolution in making the onset.
The battalion of Conall is resolute
To maintain the field of battle ;
The first thing that rouses their heroes
Is their own anger, their manliness.
Their choler, their energy,
Their valour, and their firmness.
Their nobleness, th6ir robustness,
Their regal ordinance of great valour
Setting them on against their enemies.
A further incitement to their men

Is derived from the faces of their enemies being turned on them,
Reclining lances being held
In the hands of their heroic foes.
Preparing to attack them !

Their

take the monarch's life, for daring to make
a speech to rouse the Cinel Conaill, or di-
rect them how to act in the battle ; and
he is immediately after represented as en-
tirely convinced of his error and crime, by
a few proverbs which the monarch quoted
to instruct him. He becomes immediately
penitent, and willing to submit patiently to
any punishment the monarch was pleased

to inilict, and, strange to say, the only
punishment which the latter thought pro-
per to impose was, that the royal hero,
Conall, should not, if it should happen to
be in his power, slay Congal, the monarch's
most inveterate enemy, and the cause of
the battle, because he was his foster-son.
This, no doubt, presents a strong picture
of ancient Irish manners and feelings.

156

a rpcf-jpepachc jnarach-puTn^-
De ni pecap ppirailim
Oppo pe h-uaip impepna, —

Q puil r^i^ 'ja pa^bpannab.
lap pm noca pobainse
8il Secna pe pecpiji,
peiom pm cacha paep-chmio
Qcii pe h-uaip n-imlaiDi.
6nna-clann pe h-inopaijio,
bo^uinij pe bopb-aiplec,
Caeprenncnj pe cac-laraip,
Qenjupaij pe h-uppclaiji,
Sil Piopaij pe paebap-clep,
Sil Nmoeoa aj neapc-bpipiuD,
8il Secna pe ponaipcecc.

o Clann Enna, — Bnna-clann, L e. the
race of Enna, the sixth son of Conall
Gulban, ancestor of the Cinel ConailL
Their territory extended from the River
Swilly to Bamismore and Sruthair, and
eastwards to Feamach, in the present
county of DonegaL

P Boghuinighy — ^L e. the descendants of
Enna Boghuine, the second son of Conall
Gulban, who were settled in the present
barony of Banagh, in the south-west of
the county of Don^al, to which they
gave name. This territory is described
in the Book of Fenagh, foL 47, p. a, col. a,
as extending from the River Eidhnech,
now the River Eany, which falls into the
harbour of Inver, in the bay of Donegal,
to the stream of Dobhar, which flows from

the mountains.

O Gome CO DoBap oil
^iliup Of na jopB-pleiBctB.
From Conaing, the third son of this Enna
Boghuine, the O'Breslens, who are still
numerous in Tirconnell, are descended.
They inhabited originally the territory of
Fanaid, but were driven thence, by con-
sent of 0*Donnell, in the fourteenth cen-
tury, and a branch of the Mac S weeny s,
who came from Scotland, was established
in their place ; after which, as we are in-
formed by Duald Mac Firbis, O'Breslen
became a Brehon to Maguire of Ferma-
nagh, which office his descendant retained
till the year 1643.

^ Ciierihannachs, — Caeprennaij, L e.
the descendants of Caerthan, the son of

^57

Their usual battle-incitement,

Which cannot be resisted,

At the hour of the conflict,

Is their own blood arousing them.

After this not tameable,

Are the race of Setna of robustness.

They possess the puissance of any tribe

At the hour of the slaughter.

The Clann-Enna° are distinguished at the onset.

The Boghainechs*" at fierce slaughtering,

The Caerthannachs** for maintaining a battle-field,

The race of Aengus"^ for resisting,

The race of Fidhrach* for sword-fighting,

The race of Ninnidh* for routing.

The race of Setna" for firmness.

Fergus, who was son of Conall Gulban.

' Descendants ofAengtis, — Qenjupaij,
L e. the descendants of Aengus Gunnad,
the son of Conall Gidban.

• SU Fidhrach. — 8il Piopaij ; their si-
tuation in Tirconnell is not known, nor is
their descent given in any of the genealo-
gical books.

* SU Ninnidh Sil Nmoeoa, L e. the

descendants of Ninnidh, the son of Duach,
who was son of Conall Gulban.

** SU Setna 8il Secna, L e. the descen-
dants of Setna, the grandson of Conall
Gulban. These were the most distin-
guished famUies of TirconnelL That tribe
of them called Sil Luighdhech Mic Setna,
after the establishment of hereditary sur-
names, branched into various families, of

Such

whom the most distinguished were the
O'Donnells. The territory of the Sil Luigh-
dhech Mic Setna is described in a poem in
the Book of Fenagh, as extending from the
stream of Dobhar (which flows from the
rugged mountains) to the River Swilly :

Cpiucha 6pa Ruaio p6bai^
TTlai^ich, lapjaich inBepai^
O Call c6in na cpoBanj oaf
Co h-Bonich copainno-cpen-jlai]^.

Upiucha 6a5uine m-blechca, —
Golcaioe lucho r\a quepca, —
O Bonich CO Dobap n-oil
Shiliup ap na japb-pleiBciB.

O'n Oobap oipjip ceona
Cpiucha tuijoech, mic Sheona

158

Q5 |*in cuiD cac cac-ciniD

Do car Conaill companiaig,

Cineo TTiolbcac manaipcc,

TTlaipj aicmo nd anaicmo ;

lnnpai5eaf h-ua Qinmipech,

Oppo im oail nac 0I15.

Ni DI15.

Uibip in f\a}t pe ppeajapcaib ro^oa, cul-bopba m cuaifcep-
^^^5; T ^o*n buipbi bunaiD, ocup ip Do'n rul-mipe cuaipcepcaij
in caem pm, a Conaill, a car-milio! ace cena, in cualaoaip in
pndici pemibe, pcn-poclac^ po pasbooap na h-ujoaip a ]»leccaib a
pen-bpiarap ?

peppoi cac copujao ;

peppoi pluoj pocecupc ;

peppoi maich mop-chopmac ;

peippDe bpeo bpopoujao ;

pepppi cloch cuirhniujao ;

peppDi ciall comaipli ;

peppDi cmech impije ;

peppoi

Cup in u5ainn ip jlan li, The milky cantred of Baghuine,

Oanap coihamm Suilioe. Let all inquirers know,

Upiucha 8nna pa^ ap pin Extends from Edhnecb to the bright

Co 6eapnup mop, co Spuchaip, Dobbar,

Capbac Cip Gnna na n-ypeab Which flows from the rugged mountains.

Soip CO Peapnach na peinneao. From the same rapid flood of Dobbar

Lib. Fenagki foL 47, 6, a. The cantred of Lugbaidb, son of Sedna,

" The cantred of the boisterous Eas Ruaidh, Extends to that bright-coloured river,

The salmon-full, fish-full cataract, Which is named the Suilidhe [SwillyJ.

Extends from Call Cain of knotty nut The cantred of Enna thence westwards

clusters Extends to Beamus Mor and to Sruthair,

To the noisy, impetuous green river Edh- Profitable is Tir-Enna of horses,

nech. It extends eastwards to Fearnach of heroes.'*

Such are the attributes

Of the race of brave Conall,

A praiseworthy tribe of spears.

Wo to the known or unknown who insult them ;

The grandson of Ainmire attacks them

For a cause which he ought not.

It is," &c.

The king smiled at the haughty and furious answers of the
northern, and said, " This paroxysm is of the hereditary fury and of
the northern madness, O Conall, warrior ! But hast thou heard the
mild proverbial string^ which authors have left written of the re-
mains of their old sajdngs ?"

" A battle is the better of array ;
An array is the better of good instruction ;
Good is the better of a great increase ;
Fire is the better of being stirred up ;
Fame is the better of commemoration ;
Sense is the better of advice ;
Protection is the better of intercession ;

Knowledge

This poem then goes on to state, that
the race of Eoghan, deeming the territory
left them by their ancestor, Niall of the
Nine Hostages, to be too narrow, extended
their possessions by force of arms as far
as Armagh, leaving Derry to the Cinel-
Conaill, and DrumclifT to the descendants
of Cairbre.

^ Proverbial string. — The Irish were
very fond of adducing proverbs in proof of
their assertions, and to this day, a prover-

bial saying brought to bear upon the il-
lustration of any subject, makes a deep
impression on the minds of the native Irish,
as the editor has had ample opportunities
of knowing. But though proverbs abound
among them no considerable list of them
has ever yet been published. The most
accessible to the Irish reader is that which
is given by Mr. Hardiman, in his ** Irish
Minstrelsy, or Bardic Remains of Ireland,"
vol. iL p. 397. Lond. 1831.

i6o

peppoi pip piappaigit) ;

peppoi cuip cepcujuD;

peppoi jafp jlan-pojlaim ;

peppoi pip pdc poglaim. p. c.
Lich jaca labapcha lear, a aipo-pi5 Gpenn, ap Conall, cafn-
leap caca comaipli cujuo, ip cialloa po coipcip nio compep5; ip
pipa na puijli, gupa pdc pao-peioigci pepji 05-bpiacpa dna,
arhainpeca na n-aipo-pij. Qcc cena, beip t)o bpeic pmacca,
pmuaincig t)o pecc pij, nac oijip oap piajail 00 peccgi, a pig-plair,
ap Conall ; ip am cincac-pa, oilpap a oobep, ocup icpapa anpia-
cu, uaip ni h-anajpa acr pip placa agaipchep oipne. bepao
bpeic n-inopig, n-Dipij, n-olei]»cenai5, ap DonrinaU; map 00 cpiall-
aipiu mo ciuj-bd-pa jan caigill, jan compegao, ru-pa 00 cepap-
5ain jan Dichell, jan oipliujao, ocup mo oalca, Conjal, do caigill
Duic-piu ap colj-oeip Do claiDim, a Chonaill. Ni popbunn placa
mapcaip, a pij-plaic, ap Conall, .i. Conjal Do caijil. TTldDa
compaicpem, cenjelcap ajum-pa h-e, md iccaio a anpiacu a up-
jabail, uaip ni buD aipechup enjnuma Dam-pa do Dalca Do Di-
cennaD Doc' amDeom ic' piaDnaipi, a aipD-pij Gpenn, ap ConalL
Conao conpaD Conaill ocup a ceapc bpiacpa ap comep5i in caca
anuap conice pin.

Imchupa Domnaill, po Delig-pein pe paep-coDnaij Dej D'd
Depb-pine boDem, ]ie h-uppclai5e, ocup pe h-mnapba each peDma,
ocup cac popeijne ap a uchc. Ocup po archuip aejaipechc
nepc-clainne Neill D'poipichm ap cac poppdn ap Chellac, mac

TTlailecaba,

^ Fogter-son, Conpal. — TTlo oalca Con- * CeUdchy the wn o/Maelcobha, — Celiac,

jal DO caijil ouic-piu King Domlinall mac HlailecaBa. — This great hero was

is represented throughout this story as afterwardsmonarchoflreland jointly with

most anxious that Congal should not be his brother Conall, from the year 642 to

slain, because his attachment to him was 654. He is the ancestor of the famous

inviolable as being his foster-son. family of the O'Gallaghers of Tirconnell,

i6t

Knowledge is the better of inquiry ;
A pillar is the better of being tested ;
Wisdom is the better of clear learning ;
Knowledge is the better of philosophy."

^* May the choice of each expression be with thee, monarch of
Erin," said Cohall ; " the mild success of each advice be with thee ;
wisely hast thou suppressed my great anger. True is the saying
that the pure, noble, sapient words of monarchs are the cause of
mitigating anger. Howbeit, pass thy sentence of control ; ponder on
thy regal law, that thou mayest not go beyond the rule of thy justice,
royal prince," said Conall. " I am guilty; do thou take vengeance
according to thy custom, and I will pay the debts due to thee ; for it
will not be an imjust revenge, but the justice of a king that shall be
visited upon us." " I shall pronoimce a king-becoming, upright, legiti-
mate sentence," said Domhnall. " As thou hast sought my death, un-
sparingly and without consideration, I will spare thee without forget-
fulness, without limitation, and my foster-son Congal'' is to be spared by
thee from the edge of thy right-hand sword, Conall." " It is not the
eccorbitant demand of a king thou hast asked, monarch," said Conall,
"in requesting that Congal should be spared. If we engage he
shall be fettered by me (if his capture be sufficient to pay his evil
debts), as it would not be noble valour in me to behead thy foster-
son against thy will, before thy face, king of Erin," said ConalL So
far the fury of Conall and his exact words at the rising of the battle.

As to Domhnall he detached sixteen chieftains of his own tribe,
to resist and repel every attack and violence from his breast, and
he charged Cellach, the son of Maelcobha*, above all, to watch and

relieve

who are more royally descended than the ages. — See genealogical table of the desoen-
O^Donnells, though inferior to them in dants of Conall Gulban, at the end of this
point of power and possessions in later volume.

IRISH ARCH. SOC. 6. T

l62

TTlailecaba, peach each, ocup cuaipc ppeajpa Con^ail Do com-
ppepDal, ocup coTTiaipci a ceicpi n-oalcao n-6ecpaioech n-oepb-
caipipi DO oenum, .1. TTlaelouin ocup Cobcac, pmncao ocup
paelcu ; ocup po piaonaij ap apD-mairib Gpenn ap a aiclc, cumao
pa copmailpi copaign in caca pm, ocup pa pamail a puioi^n, 00
coipi^rea caca pep n-6penn co bpuinne bpara, ocup acbepc r\a
bpiarpa pa:

Cleara mo cara-pa pein

Gogan CO Caipppi, mac Neill,

cuipa pulainj caca Cuino

Conall CO n-a 6nna-cloint),
Connacca ip TTlioij pela

a pioach cuip comolfica,

Caigmg, TTluimms, mep a moo,

cuije in caca 'p a ccgop.
Qipijit) mo caca cam

Qipjialla ocup mo beopaio,

me booein a papca cpom,

pe Oinje caich oo'n comlonn.
Ip me Domnall, mac Qeoa,

mian lim cella 00 caemna,

mian lim 81I Secna jan paill,

CO cpen a h-ucc Clann Conaill.
TTlian lim Cenel Conaill cpuaio

pomum 1 pcamnip pciac-buain ;

81I Secna, mo chineo pem,

maip5 nac im^aib a n-aimpeip.

Cennpaelao

' Are ConalL — ^In this quatrain Eoghan, of multitude to denote their respectiye

Cairpri, and Gonall, the names of three of races.

the sons of the monarch Niall of the Nine ' Are the shelter. — The Irish word cui^e.

Hostages, are put oollectively as nouns which is cognate with the Latin tectum^

1 63

relieve the puissant race of Niall out of every difficulty, to respond
to the onsets of Congal, and to protect his own four good-heaxted,
beloved foster-sons, namely, Maelduin and Cobhthach, Fionnchadh,
and Faelchu. And he requested of the arch-chieftains of Erin, after
this, that the armies of the men of Erin should, to the brink of
eternity, be arrayed to the likeness of the arrangement and position
of this battle ; and he said these words :
" The props of my own army

Are Eoghan and Cairbre, the son of Niall ;
The supporting pillars of the army of Con
Are Conall'^ and the race of Enna.
The Connacians and bright Meathians
Are its well-shaped thickset wood,
The Lagenians and Momonians of rapid action
Are the shelter* and protection of the army.
The ornaments of my beauteous army
Are the Oirghialls and my sojourners'.
And I myself the heavy sledge
To drive all into the conflict
I am Domhnall, the son of Aedh,
I desire to protect churches ;
I desire that the race of Setna, without remissness.
Should be mighty in the front of the Clann Conaill.
I desire that the hardy Cinel Conaill

Should be before me in the battle of strong shields ;

The race of Setna, are my own tribe ;

Wo to him who avoids not disobedience to them.

Cennfaeladh

is used in old MSS. to denote the roof of ile, sojourner, pilgrim, or any one living

a house, and sometimes, figuratively, shel- out of his native country. The oeopam

ter or protection. or sojourners here referred to were evi-

SS2^9tfnMr«...^t>eopaiD signifies an ex- dently hireling soldiers from Scotland or

164

CennpaelaD pleoac, mac S^^P^*
pmjin coiboenac m Caipni%
cpiap ele ba oecla a n-opcac,
TTlaine, 6nna, Qipnelach.

Lomspec, mac Qeoa na n-odm,
ocup Conall, mac baeoain,
cpi meic TTlailcoba na clanD,
CennpaelaD, Celiac, ConalL

TTlo CU15 meic-pea, oepj a n-bpeach,
pepjup, Oenjup coiboenach,
Qilell ip C0I5U nac jann,
ocup m cui^eat) Conall.

Ip lac pin cpichpe mo cuipp,
plan caic uile 'ma puabaipr,
peiD im cac p6D, bopb a m-bann
aj cecc a n-aijib eccpano.

8e pip Dec 00 cmeo Cuino
po dipmeap 1 cenn comlaino,
ni uil pa nim, — mop m mo6, —
Deic ceo laec pop oinjebat).

Ip lac pm rogaim co cenn,
1 piaonaipi pep n-6penn,

umum

Wales who were in the constant employ-
ment of the Irish monarch, such as were
called Bonnaghts by English writers, in
the reign of Elizabeth.

** Cennfaeladh the/estive^ son qfOarbh, —
Cennpaelao pleoach, mac ^aipB. — The
Book of Kilmacrenan, as quoted in the
Book of Fenagh, foL 42, states that this
Cennfaeladh had three sons, viz., Fiamuin,
the eldest, ancestor of the Clann Fiamuin

or (VDohertys ; 2. Maelduin the father of
Aimelach, Snedgal, Fiangus, and Cenn-
faeladh ; and, 3. Muirchertach, the an-
cestor of the Clann-Dalaigh or O'Don-
nells.

*= Fingkiny the leader from Cam, — Pin-
^n coiboenac in Chaipnn, is not men-
tioned in the Irish Annals or genealogical
books.

^ Maine^ Enna, and Aimdaek. — ^These

165

Cennfaeladh the Festive, son of Garbh**,

Finghin, the leader, from Cam',

And three others of bold aspects,

Maine, Enna, and Aimelach"^.
Loingsech, the son of Aedh* of troops,

And Conall, son of Baedan,

The three sons of Maelcobha^ of clans,

Cennfaeladh, Cellach, and Conall.
My own five sons of ruddy aspects^,

Fergus, Aengus of troops,

Ailell and Colgu, not penurious,

And the fifth, Conall.
These are the sparks of my body.

The safety of all lies in their attack,

Ready in each road, furious their action

When coming against foreigners.
Sixteen men of the race of Conn

I have reckoned at the head of the conflict,

There is not under heaven, — ^great the saying, —

Ten himdred heroes who would resist them.

These I select confidently.

In presence of the men of Erin,

names do not occur in the Irish Annals, from the Genealogical Irish Books, or the

nor in the genealogies of theCinel-ConailL Irish Annals, that any of these five sons

® Loingsech, the son of Aedh, — ^oinj;;- of king Domhnall became the founder of

pech mac Qeoo, is not mentioned in the a family, except Aengus, or Oengus, who

Irish Annals or genealogical books. was the ancestor of the O'Canannans and

f Three eons 0/ Maelcobha, — Cpi meic O'Muldorys, princes of Tirconnell, pre-

TTloilcoBa, L e. of Maelcobha, the cleric, ceding the O'Donnells, and of the Mac

the brother of king Domhnall. Gillafinnens, chieftains of Muinter-Pheo-

« Afy own Jive sons of ruddy aspect, — dachain, in Fermanagh — See Note E, at

nio cui^ meic-fea. — It does not appear the end of this volume.

i66

nniUTTi pein, ciap ocup caip,
Dom' peirem, Dom' imoejail.
Celiac, mac TTlailcaba cpuim,

uaiTTi o'pupcachr cac anpoplainD,
pe ppeajpa Conjail na cpeac,
Celiac cpooa na cac clear 1

Imcupa Congail impaicep ajaino araib ele, uaip m peoaic
u^aip in Da paipneip o' puppannab i n-aenpecc, amail apbepc m
pile :

Ui6e ap n-uioe po poich pin,
aipneip cac ujDaip eolaij ;
ni a n-aenpecc po poich uile,
od paipneip le h-aen Duine.

CiO cia ap ap cuipepcap ceipc in caca, ni he aipo-pij Ulao Do
bi CO Dubach, Dobponach, nd co bes-menmnach, pc bpumne na
bpepliji bpdca pin; uaip ba Dimain D'a Dpdicib Depb paipcine
Demm Do Denum Do, ocup mp rapba Do cailsennaib cpiall a
regaipc; ap ba compaD pe cappaic D'd caipDib comaipli Do
Conjal, pe h-aplac na n-amaiDeaD n-ipepnaiDi aj pupdil a aimlepa
aip; uaip nfp cpeicpec na cpi h-fiipe upbaDaca, ipepnaiDi cipium
o uaip a cfiipmiD cocpach aciuj-bd, .1. Gleacco, ocup TTlegepa,
ocup Cepipone, conaD h-e a piabpaD ocup a paeb-popcecul pm
paDepa Do-pum DupcaD caca Dpoc-Ddla, ocup impaD cac a lomap-
baip, ocup popbaD caca pfp-uik ; uaip ip ann po-cai5epcap in uip

inDle6ech,

* Eere and front, — ^Ciap if caip, i. e. lustrated in O'Brien's Irisli Dictionary, m

west and east. The Irish as well as the voce Deas.

Jews used the same words to ezipress the ^ Authara cannot give two narratives to-

right hand and the south, the left hand getker. — Uaip ni peoaic u^oatp. — The

and the north, the front and the east, and writers of Irish Tales are remarkably fond

the back and the west. — See this fully il- of quoting andent authoritie& Here the

167

To he around myself rere and frontf ,

To attend me, to defend me.
Cellach, the son of Maelcobha, the crooked,

/ appoint from me to relieve each distress,

To respond to Congal of plimders,

Cellach braver than any chieftain !"
With respect to Congal, we shall speak of him another time, foir
authors cannot give two narratives together*, as the poet says :
'* By progress after progress he passed through

The narrative of every learned author ;

Two narratives cannot all at the same time

Be passed through by one person."
Whoever felt dejection for the battle, it was not the arch king of
Ulster that was sorrowful, dejected, or pusillanimous at the approach
of this final defeat ; and it was in vain for his druids to make true
magical predictions for him, and it was not profitable for his tailginns
[clergy] to seek instructing him ; for his friends might as well con-
verse with a rock as advise him, in consequence of the temptations
of the infernal agents who were pressing his destruction upon him ;
for the three destructive infernal ftuies Electo, Megsera, and Tesi-
phone, had not forsaken him from the time he was bom until the
period of his final dissolution, so that it was their influence and
evil suggestions that induced him to stir up every evil design, medi-
tate every contention, and complete every true evil ; for the snare-
laying,

author quotes an old poet as authority for The Editor understands it thus :

his arrangement of the subject This " Progress after progress he made

quatrain seems to have been quoted from In reading the narratives of learned au-

the biography of some poet or professor of thors,

literature, but it is now difficidt to under- Studying them one by one,

stand it perfectly, as the quotation is so For he coxdd not attend to two together."

short and the subject matter unknown.

i68

int)le6ech, epoan, amjill 6lccc6 ap cepc-lap cleib ocup cpaioc
Conjail, ic TnaiDeni cac niipuin, ocup ic piu^at) caca pfp-uilc.
Ocup Oin m maips nnpcnech, mfpunac, mallaccnach TTlescpa xyo
copam a calaD-popc comnaiDi ap cepc-lap capbaic Conjail, yc
cajpa d caiblib a cenjat), ocup ic buaonaipi a bunnpacaib a bpia-
cap ; ocup om in cenn cleapach, copaiDec, conncpacca, cpomoa,
cuppaccac, cuaic-ebpac Cepipone rappaiD pem apD-comup aipech-
aip ap CU15 ceDpaoaib comlana coppapDa Conjail, comofp com.
ofcpa pein pe popbao caca pip-uilc. 5^P ^^ ^V^T ^^ ^-iiipib
ipepnaiDi pin cuiccep na cpi pecaoa puopaca aimpisep cac acn,
.1. pcp6ouD, ocup impdouD ocup gnini, peib apbepc pocuD na
Canoine:

Glecco pspuDup cac col,
TTlejepa ppi h-impaout),
Cepipone pein co pip
cuipeap cac caip 1 copp-jnfm.

Conao he a n-aplac ocup a n-impioe-pein aip-pim pa Dejia Do
jan comaipli a capar Do cuimniu^ao, ocup ip mc pa Depa d6 bcic
CO TuepcDa, micellio icip Ullcqib ocup allmapcaib aDaij TTldipci
pe TnaiDin caca ITluiji puao-lmncij Rach, co caimc cpach puam
ocup pdm-coDulca 00 na pluagaib ; ocup po cooail Conjal lap pin
pe ciuin-pojap na cuipleann ciuil, ocup pe popcao pafbemail,
puapatoech, pip-cpuaj na cet) ocup na cimpdn '5a caoall D'aijcib
ocup D'popmnaoaib eant) ocup injen na puat) '50 pap-pemm. Qcc
cena, ba cinndbpao epoch Do Congal in coDla pni, Do peip map ip
jnac puba ocup pdmaijci pip-coDulca ic aimpiujaD cac afn pe

bpuinne

J Fcthadh na Canoine^ here quoted as See Annals of the Four Masters at that
authority for the office of the three Furies, year, and Colgan, Acta SS. p. 783.
was lecturer of Armagh in the year 799. — ^ Tympana — Cimpdn. — Various pas-

169

laying, impure, and wicked fury, Electo, took up her abode in the
very centre of the breast and heart of Congal, suggesting every evil
resolution and pointing out every true evil to him. And also the woeful,
ill-designing, wicked Megsera placed her resident fortress in the very
middle of Congal's palate, to hurl defiance from the battlements of
his tongue, and to threaten with the scourges of his words. And the
tricky, evil-teaching, cursed, morose, backbiting Tesiphone assumed
absolute sway over the five corporeal senses of Congal, so that they
(the three Furies) were diligent to accomplish every true evil. By
these three infernal Furies is understood the three evils which tempt
every one, viz.. Thought, Word, and Deed, as Fothadh na Canoine^
said:

" Electo thinks of every sin,
Megaera is for reporting,
And Tesiphone herself truly
Puts every crime into bodily execution."

And it was the influence of their temptation and solicitation of
him that induced him not to attend to the advice of his friends, and
it was they that caused him to be confused and senseless between
the Ultonians and foreigners, on the Tuesday night before the loss
of the battle of the red-pooled plain of Magh Bath, xintil the time of
rest and soft repose arrived for the armies. And after this Congal
slept, being lulled to rest by the soft sounds of the musical pipes
and by the warbling vibrations and melancholy notes of the strings
and tympans" struck by the tops, sides, and nails of the fingers of the
minstrels, who so exquisitely performed on them. However, this sleep
was a miserable repose to Congal ; but indeed hilarity and agreeable

sleep

sages can be produced to show that the and not a drum, as might be supposed
Irish CI m pan was a stringed instrument, from the name.

IBISH ARCH. BOG. 6. Z

170

bpuinne batp, ocuf pe Ti-fonaib ai6e6a. Qcc ccna, nfp cumpcais
Congal ap m cooluo pin jup can Onboiao opai na bpiarpa bcca
pa:

Q Chonjail Chlafn comepij,

CmDpcc r'cccpaic h'int)pai5it> ;

Opt) meli mian puain pip-laije ;

8uan pe bdp bpicc bot>ba ;

beg bpfja bebpac bi bar mmlac;

nioc-cipje mian pcmnet) ocup ppicaipe;

popcceo n-jalann jpich-mao nemitop mbooba;

bpur pola, — eacpaip cupat), —

Chujuc a Chonjail.

Q Conjail.

Ip Ouaibpeac pom Diiipcip, a Duibt)ia6, ap Conjal. Ceipt)
aejaipe, pagbup a eioi icip paelaib jan imcoimec, ajuc-jKi lapam,
ap Duboiat). O015 ni Ti-opD aegaipe cooluO '50 ceacpaib; m Oac
coimeDai^ mill lapniapcac-pu o'Ullcaib ; buo pme ap n-a pooail
aicme Olloman Dap c* eipi; buo laicpec jan lan-jabail apo-popc
atpecaip jaca h-Ullcaij ap r' aicli. Qcc cio compat) pe cappai^
comaipli 00 cpoich pe na riuj-ba ! Oo comoijlaip 00 cnea6, a
Chon^ail, ap OubOiaO; Oena pfo pucain pe c'aiDi, ocup pe h-apo-
maicib 6penn, ocup imj^aib micopcap na TTlaipce mac mapbcap
CO maicib Ulao umuc m aen mai^m.

Camic

* But indeed tieep, ^ — The present comepi^. — In all old Irish tales mystical

belief among the Irish peasantry is, that assertions, expressed in irregular metre,

at the approach of death by sickness, a are generally put into the months of Drtiids.

man sleeps, but that a woman is awake ; The terms are generally ambiguous and

bioecmn an peap 'n a coolao a^up an fidl of mystery ; and it is sometimes al-

bean o'a paipe p4in. most impossible to translate such rhymes

^ To thee CongaL — CI -Con jail clam as they are made to speak, into intelligible

171

deep' come upon every one at the approach of death, and of the
pangs of dissolution. And Congal did not awake from this sleep
until Dubhdiadh the druid had chanted these few words :

"0 Congal Claen arise,

Thy enemies approach thee ;

The characteristic of an imbecile is the desire of constant lying asleep;

Sleep of death is an awful omen ;

Little energy forebodes the destruction of the coward,

The desire of the hero and the watchman is early rising ;

An inciter of valour is a proud and fearless fieiy-champion.

Fervour of blood, — the characteristic of a hero, —

Be to thee O Congal"'!

O CongaV &c.
** Disagreeably hast thou awakened me, O Dubhdiadh," said Con-
gal " Thou dost like a shepherd who leaves his flock among wolves
without a guard," said Dubhdiadh. " It is not the business of a
shepherd to sleep over his flock : thou art not" a vigilant keeper of a
flock to the Ultonians; the race of OUamh** would be a divided
tribe after thee ; the great habitation of each Ultonian would, after
thee, be a deserted spot; but indeed to give advice to a wretch
before his death is to talk to a rock." " Thou hast sufficiently
avenged thy wounds, O Congal," said Dubhdiadh, " make an eternal
peace with thy foster-fitther and the arch-chieftains of Erin, and fly
from the defeat of Tuesday, on which \it is foreseen] thou wilt be
slain, and the chiefs of Ulster about thee in one place."

English. of Ireland, and flourished about the year of

^ Thou art not, — Mi oac, L e. n(m es. the world 3227, according to O'Flaherty's

® Baee o/OUamh. — Qicme Ollaiioan, Chronology.— See Ogygia, Part III. c. 29.

i e. the race of Ollamh Fodhla, who was This monarch was ancestor of Congal and

one of the most celebrated of the monarchs of all the Clanna Budhndghe.

Cainic ano pn caem celli cumaifc DoChonjal, jup canufcap:
cia t>' apo-clamiaib h-lp puaip cepmann ap ciuj-ba, na maipiuf
gan mapbao? ocup ip oej-pij map Oomnall co n-apo-mairib 6penn
uime, o pfmcap a po-mapbao, ocup ip imcuiboi 0*Ullcaib o'd
n-cnpleach Do'n cup-pa, ap Gonial. Ocup ciDeao po cpiallamo
ceiceb m cacaip pea ocup mo cepapjain ap ciuj-ba, map a cair
mo opaitn '5a t>epb-paipcmc Dam mo cuicim ip m cacap-pa; ni
cepaip5 cpii reichet); m rapba ec o'lnjabail, uaip rpi h-uaipe nac
imjaibcep, .i. uaip 6ca, uaip ^enc, uaip coimpepca, ap Conjal.
Cen CO h-imjaibrep ec, imjaibchep dj, ap Oubt)ia6, uaip ni oeip
pe t)ia 0ep5-mapcpa ap oainib, ocup acbcpc m laio pi:

Imjaib dj 'p poo imgeba,

a Chonjail TTlullaij TTlaca,

mac Qet>a, mic Qinmipech,

cujuc 1 cenn m caca.
In cac pm po cojbaipiu,

Ip po puajpaip cen laije,

ip pnam mapa mop-connaij

DU1C catnigat) pe c'aiOe.
In cac pin po cojbaipiu,

a laic ceipc na Da c6mlann,

bit> pnam mapa mop-ronnaij

t)uic cacujuo pe Domnall.

Domnall

P Descendants o/Ir. — ^t)* opo-clannaib stantly heard to say " what is to happen

Ip The most distinguished of the race must happen : whatever Grod has fore-

of Ir, son of Milesius, were the Clanna seen must come to pass exactly as he

Rudhraighe, of whom Congal was at this foresaw it, and man cannot change the

time the senior representative. manner of it by any exertions of his own."

^ It is profitless io fly from death, — This The common saying among them is, "/if

is still the prevailing feeling among the was to happen.^^
illiterate Irish peasantry, who are con- '' MttUach Mocha. — muUai j niaca^

^73

A confused gleam of reason then beamed on Congal, and he said,
" Which of the great descendants of Ir^ has got protection against
final destruction, or will live without being killed ? And it is a good
king like Domhnall, with the arch-chieftains of Erin about him, to
whom it belongs by /ate to have the killing and slaughtering of the
Ultonians on this occasion," said Congal. " But though I should at-
tempt to avoid this battle and save myself from final destruction (for
my druids are making true predictions to me that I shall fall in this
battle), yet flight has never saved a wretch; it is profitless to fly
from death' ; for there are three periods of time which cannot be
avoided, viz., the hour of death, the hour of birth, and the hour of
conception," said Congal. ** Although death cannot be avoided a
battle may be avoided," said Dubhdiadh, " for God does not like that
men should be slaughtered ;" and he repeated this poem :

" Shun the battle, and it will shim thee,

O Congal of Mullach Macha' ;

The son of Aedh, son of Ainmire,

Approaches thee at the head of the battle.
In that battle which thou hast raised.

And which thou hast proclaimed without feebleness ;

It is the same as swimming over the mighty-waved sea,

For thee to contend with thy foster-father.
In that battle which thou hast raised,

O just hero of the two combats.

It is the swimming over the mighty-waved sea,

For thee to contend with DomhnalL

Domhnall

the summit or hiU of Macha, L e. of the Christ, 332, though not included within

hin of Armagh. Congal is called of this the limit of Ulidia, his own principalitj,

place, because it was in the territory of which comprised no portion of the present

his ancestors, previously to the y^ar of county of Armagh.

174

Domnall Duine apt) balaip,
paipi nd f luaj in ooniain,
oa n-Deapnoaif opm allmapai^,
Do puicpiDfp Do m conaip.

Sol Dam ainm m Daipe pea,

CO ci in bpara Oaipc in lacha,
biD c amm m muige pea
mag cuanach ITluiji Paca.

biD TTlas pac o'n poch-mal |ki,
maj op aipep m drha,
Capnn Conjail in cnocdn pa,
o niuj CO lairi m bpacha.

biaiD Suibne na ^ealrugan,
biD eolach peac jac n-Dinjna,
biD jealcdn cpuaj pann-cpaiDec,

biD uacaD, ni ba himDa.

Im^aib.

* DomhnaU of the lofty fart of Bdar. —
Domnall o^ine opo 6alaip. — Dun-Ba-
ktir. The site of this fort is shown on
Tory Island, off the north coast of Done-
gal, where there is still a vivid recollection
of Balar, its founder, who is famed in the
bardic history of Ireland as the general of
the Fomorians, or sea pirates, in the second
battle of Magh-Tuiredh, fought about the
year, A. M. 2764, according toO'Flaherty's
Chronology. — See Ordnance Map of Tory
Island for the exact situation of Dun Balair.

King Domhnall is called of Dun Balair,
not because he resided there, but because
it belonged to Tirconnell, the principality
of his own immediate tribe. The custom

of calling people after such places is very
common among the Irish poets, but it
leads to confusion, as it is often applied in
too vague a manner.

' Oak-grave, — ^Daipe, is translated ro-
boretum by Adamnan, in his Life of Co-
lumba, Lib. i. c. 2, 20, 49.

^Daire in latha^ is in Mac Morissy's copy
more correctly Doipe na plora, i. e. the
oak grove of the prince or king. There
is a place of this name near Dungiven, in
the county of Derry, anglicised Derryna-
flaw, but the name is not now to be found
at Moira, where this battle was fomght, so
that the druid is out in his prophecy.

" Suibhne AaU be a lunatic. — 6iai6

*"i*»* I i^ ■ • • p^^^'-ya^^i^B^ ^na

^75

Domhnall of the lofty fort of Balar*

Is nobler than any of the host of the world ;

If the foreigners would do my bidding

They would for him leave the way.
I know the future name which this oak-grove' shaM bear,

Until the day of judgment — Daire in latha".

The name of this plain shall be

The beautiftd Magh Eath.
It shall be called Magh Rath from this prosperous battle,

A plain over the brink of the ford ;

This hillock shall be called Cam Congail

From this day till the day of judgment
Suibhne shall be a lunatic^,

He shall be acquainted with every forf,

He shall be a pitiful, weak-hearted maniac ;

Few, not many, shall be his attendants.

Shun," &c.

SuiBnena^ealcu^an. — That is, Suibhne, to Suibhne's constant roving from one
the son of Colman Guar, chief of Dal place to another. Dinjna signifies a/ort
Araidhe. — See Buile Shuibhne, or, " The or any remarkable place, and it appears
Madness of Suibhne," a curious romance, from the romance just referred to, that
generally added to the Battle of Magh Suibhne was almost constantly moving
Rath, for an account of the rambles, freaks, about from one remarkable place to another
and eccentricities of this chieftain, after throughout Ireland; but though he is re-
the Battle of Magh Rath, from which he presented as having visited the most ro-
lled panic stricken, in consequence, as it mantic and best-known localities in Ire-
is alleged, of his having received the curse land, it is strange that he is not made to
of St. Ronan Finn, abbot of Druim Ineas- go to Glcann na n-gealt, in Kerry, whither,
glainn, now Drumiskin, in the county of at the present day, all madmen are made
Louth, whom Suibhne had treated with to repair to be cured of their malady. In
indignity. Mac Morrissy's copy, however, this line
* He skaU be acquainted with every forL reads, bio ecclac pe jac n-ioona, L e. he
— 6tD eolach pec jac n*oin^na, alludes shall be afraid of every kind of weapon.

176

6a oimafn 00 DubDiat) pif na p^P'S^ip ^^ cairem pe Conjal;
acr cena po comgaipeao Ceann con co Conjal, .1. ^illa caipipi
t)o'n cpiac nnlit), jupa pamepcup h-e o'pippujaD cleri Conaill
ocup aipD-5pinne 605am, D'piop in pabaDap jlaip no jeimleca icip
cac oa n-dnpaio n-incomlaino acu. TTlap 00 canao a cec-compaicib
a cupao, map Deapbcap ap Dep^puba Conaill :

Ro cinDpec comaiple cpuaiD,
Qipnelac, mac Ronain Ruaio,
Ocijy* Suibne TTlino Do'n muij,
niac pip-japca peapaoaij:
^eimel icip each oa cup
Do ChonaiU ocup d' Gojan,
Co nd pamlab 65 na pen
Dib 5ema6 cennca ceiceo.

InunO uaip po cuipet) Cenn con pe cupoeilb na copca pm ocup
po impa Domnall oeipel ap copujao m caca, ocup po pejupcap
Domnall Dap min-oipbib m muigi^ ocup ac conaipcpum cuiji Cenn
con, ocup pa aicm aobap a coicill ocup a cecraipecca ; conao
aipe pin, po pdm pe rpen-pepaib in Cuaipcipc: ac ciupa cujaib
jilla DO jillib Conjail ocup Cenn con a comainm pein, ocup Do
peDappa aDbap a coichill, do caiDbpeD bap ruapupcbala-pi ocup
d' pippnjaD bap n-mmll, m buD conjjlonnca copaijci bap cupaiD,
ocup mun buD eaD lac, co na copaigeab Conjal apD-mairi UlaD
na allmupac 1 n-jlapaib, na 1 n-jeimlecaib. ConaD nipe pm, a
05U, bap aipD-pij Gpenn, leajap lib-pi eappa ocup icrapa bap
n-eippiuD, ocup bap n-ecjuD co cpachc-aiDlennaib bap cpaijeD, d'

polac

^ Phalanx,^. — Cliac corals explained rissy^s copy, p. 71, by the modem words

by Peter Connelly in his Dictionary, as a neapc no oam^eon, L e. ** strength or bul-

body of men in battle array, and he ex- wark," but the latter word must be under-

plains 3pi nne, in the margin of Mac Mo- stood here as applied to that arrayed di-

177

It was vain, however, for Dubhdiadh to waste the knowledge of
true wisdom on Congal. Cenncon, a faithful servant of the lordly
hero Congal, was called, and he despatched him to reconnoitre the
phalanx* of the race of Conall, and the great bulwark of the race of
Eoghan, to see if they had locks or fetters between every two of their
fighting soldiers, as had been proposed in the first consultations of
their heroes, as is proved in Dergrubha Chonaill'^ :

" They came to a stem resolution,
Aimelach, son of Ronan the Red,
And Suibhne Meann, on the plain.
The truly expert son of Feradhach,
To put a fetter between every two heroes
Of the races of Conall and Eoghan,
So that neither young nor old
To them, though pressed, might suggest flight."

At the exact time that Cenncon was sent to perform this business,
it was that Domhnall turned roxmd to the right to view the array of
the battle; and he looked over the smooth surface of the plain, and
perceived Cenncon coming towards him, and perceived the cause of
his journey and message. Wherefore, he said to the mighty men of
the north, " I see approaching you a servant of the servants of Congal,
by name Cenncon, and I know that the cause of his journey is to re-
connoitre so as to describe you, and to ascertain your battle array ;
to see whether your heroes be linked together with fetters, in order
that if they should not be so, Congal may not array the arch-chief-
tains of Ulster or of the foreigners in locks or fetters. Wherefore,
youths," said the monarch of Erin, " let down the verges and skirts

vifflon of the monarch's army which con- ^ Dergruhha ChonaiU, was evidently an
sisted of the Cinel Conaill, Cinel Eoghain, ancient Irish historical tale, but the £ditor
and Oirghialla. is not aware that it is at present extant.

miSH ABCH. SOC. 6. . 2 A

178

polac ocup t)'pop6ibaO na paep-jeimlec pcn-iapamo pnim-ccn-
gailci, po }i-iTnTKn]'cet) opaib. CojbafD ocup caipbenafb, cpoirib
ocup cpichnaijfo na plabpaDu puaicinci, polup-iapnai6e, po pufo-
fjeb ap bap n-jcimlecaib ^lan-cumca, jlap-iapaint), ocup rabpofo
cpi cpoTP-jaipt bopba, buaonaipccha, buippeoai^i, Do cup jpdine
ocup jeineoecca ip in n-jilla, cumao bpec-ceccaipecc bpaplain^i
00 bepat) D'lnnpaigit) Ulab ocup allmapac. Ro cincaD m cecupc
pm 05 cpen-pepaib m Cuaii^cipc. Ocup ap cinneo caca camgne
Dap popconsaip ^r\ r-aipD-pij oppo, co rucpaOap cpi cpom-^aipi,
bopb-buat>nupaca, buippeaOaigi, cop linao, ocupjup luac-mcaopao
in 5illa t)o 5pain ocup 00 jeniDecc, o'oillc, ocup o'paenneall, ocup
D'poluamain, ^op ob eao po cecpaijey^cap cui^e, jup jcmel jlan-
paDac, glap-iapaino Do pea^aim icip cac oa cupaio Do Conall
ocup o' Go^an ip in uaip pin; ocup po mnca uainb o'lnnpaigib
Ulao ocup allmapac, co pa mnip a aicepc, ocup 5up cajaip a cecc-
aipecc ba piaonaipi Doib. Ip De pin po canupcap Gonial, ca
h-aipm a puil DuboiaD Opai, a 65U, bap eipium; Sunna, bap
cipim, film pa&a ppi paipcpi, je mao Depcaipi ppi Demin ouic, ap
Duboiao, ocup ni caiccep ppic e, ge mao acallaim incleri ba lainn
lee. Do [.1. Dol] Duic amlaio, bap eipium o'aipcpi ocup o'pippegaD
pep n-Gpenn uaim-pi, ^up ob Do peip Do cepra ocup Do cuapupc-
bala ap plaicib puiniD, coipecac-pa mo caca, ocup puiDijpec mo
pocpaiDe.

' Raise and show, — It seems difficult at were in the hands of the soldiers, and ready

first sight to understand the apparently for use, yet that they were not actually

inconsistent orders given by the monarch put on. Another difficulty arises from

to his men, to hide their fetters, and at the spy being represented as imagining

the same time to exhibit and clank the what was really the fact. Perhaps the

iron chains attached to them. His de- writer intended to intimate that the spy,

sign probably was to make Congal's mes- in his terror and panic, reported what his

senger believe that although the fetters story proved he could not have seen ; it

179

of your battle-coats to your heels to cover and conceal the noble fetters
of well-cemented old iron, which have been fastened upon you. Baise
and show", shake and rattle the beautiful, bright iron chains which are
fastened to your well-formed fetters of blue iron, and give three
heavy, fierce, exulting, terrific shouts, to strike terror and dismay
into the heart of the servant, that he may bring back to the Ultbnians
and foreigners a false and deceptive message." The nodghty men of the
north attended to these instructions : when the monarch had finished
each of his commands, they gave three heavy, fierce, exulting, and
terrific shouts, by which the servant was filled and quickly confused
with horror and dismay, and with dread, awe, and panic, so that
what he imagined was, that there was a bright fetter of blue iron be-
tween every two of the heroes of the races of Conall and Eoghan at
that time ; and he turned firom them towards the Ultonians and the
foreigners, and he told his story, and stated the result o/'his message
in the presence of them. Then Congal asked, " Where is Dubhdiadh
the druid, O youths," he said. " Here," replied the other ; " I am
not experienced at reconnoitering, even though I should recon-
noitre for thee in earnest," said Dubhdiadh ; " but I shall not dispute
with thee, even though thou shouldst desire me to obtain a private
interview." " Thou art to go, therefore, firom me," said he [Congal]
" to view and reconnoitre the men of Erin, and it will be according
to thy account and description of the chiefs of the west that I will

army my battalions and arrange my forces."

Then

is evident, at least, that Congal was dis- qnainted with any parallel for the singu-

satisfied with the report of his first mes- lar expedient of chaining the soldiers to-

senger, from his sending Dubhdiadh to gether, in order to prevent one from fijing

reconnoitre a second time, and bring him without the consent of the other; nor is it

a more accurate account of the state of spoken of as a new device, or one peculiar

the enemies' forces. The whole story is to Domhnall, for Congal evidently expected

extremely curious ; the Editor is not ac- it, and was prepared to follow the example.

2 A 2

i8o

If ant) fin do oecait) Duboiab co h-Qp O na h-imaip cf i, conao
Off po pegufcap uaoa, ocuf ac conaipc in cac-laem cupaca, co-
paijtn ap n-a coTneajap, ocuf m c-focpaioi fonaipc, fap-innillci
ap n-a fumiujao; ocuf jep b' imoa aipecc exaniail, ocuf gpinne
jpamemail, ocuf faep-f fluaj fomemail ap n-a fuioiujao D'f^a-
paib Gpenn m aen mat), nip an, ocuf nip aoaip, ocuf nip oelij-
efcap aipe, na aijneo, na mncint) Duiboiao i n-Opeim Dib fin, ace
mat) If m cpen-focpaioi capboa, cop-acapoa, cuaifcepcaij, ac
conaipc pe cneaf in apt)-placha h-ui Qinmipech, pe 5puamt)acc
ocuf pe jpainemlacc na laecpaiDi fin Icif, con-a n-jpeann-mor-
paib 5oifcit)i, ocuf CO n-a clat^-mailjib cupat) ic polac ocuf ic
popt)ibat) paipcfena na pemneo. Ocup Dm pe h-upjpain ocuf pe
h-anaicencacc leif na lent)-bpac ligoa, lech-pat)a, lebap-claimac,
ocuf a n-map n-oip-eajaip ap n-a poppillet) CKxp popmnaib na pip-
laech. dec cena po coTnbuait)pic cecpaoa Ouiboiab pe pop^pam
a paipcpena, ocuf po mt)ca uairib co cmnefnach, ocuf a ceanja
ap luch, ocuf ap luamain, m eat)ap-poll a aijci, aj cup ocuf ic
cpiall, ocuf ic cinnfcet)ul cefca ocuf cuapufcbala na cpen-foc-
pait)e fin oo cabaipc; ocuf cdmic peme co lap lon5poi]ic Ulao
ocuf all-mapac, juf m inao ap conit)eif t)o each a compejao ic
aipneif a aicifc, ocuf ic cajpa a ceccaipecca, ocuf po inDca ap
apt)-maicib Ulao ocuf allmapach, ocuf ofbepc na b]iiaclipa fa:

Qc ciu cac-laem cujaib-f i,
Q Ullcu 'fa allmapcu,

Oll-cac djmap ef it)ein,

Cupait)

* Ard na h-imaircsi, — ^L e. the hill of ** JSxceptinff only. — This clearly shows

the e6p3ring or reconnoitering. In Mac that the battle was written to flatter the

Morissy's copy it is written more correctly, pride of the Cinel ConailL

Qpo na h-iompaipccfe. *^ Wide-folded thirU. — ^eno-bpac was

i8i

Then Dubhdiadh went to Ard na h-imaircsi", and from it took
his view; and he saw the heroic army arranged and arrayed, and
the powerful, well-appointed forces drawn up ; and though many a
various band, terrible troop, and noble well-looking host of the men
of Erin were there stationed together, the observation, mind, or
attention of Dubhdiadh did not dwell, fix, or rivet itself upon any
battalion of them, excepting only^ upon the mighty, bull-like, puissant
northern battalion, which he saw close to the monarch the grandson of
Ainmire ; but by these his whole attention was arrested, on account
of the sternness and abhorrent fierceness he observed in their heroes,
with their proud-tufted beards, with their warlike prominent eye-
brows [seemingly] overshadowing and obscuring their vision, and on
account of the horror and strangeness presented to him by their glossy,
half-length, wide-folded shirts^, and by their gold-embroidered tunics^
returning over the shoulders of these true heroes. In short, Dubh-
diadh's senses became bewildered from viewing them, and he turned
from them quickly with horror, with his tongue moving and vibrating
in his mouth, assaying, attempting, and designing to give an account
and description of that mighty army. And he came on to the middle
of the camp of the Ultonians and foreigners to a place where all
might conveniently view him, reporting his story and delivering his
message, and he turned to the arch-chiefs of the Ultonians and spake
these words :

"I have seen a mighty army approaching you,
O Ultonians and foreigners,

It is a mighty, valiant army.

Composed

evidently the linen vest dyed with saffron, ^ Tunics — Inap is explained by the

with long and open sleeves, often men- Latin word tunica, in a vocabulary in the

tioned by English writers as worn by the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, (H. 2.

soldiers of the Irish chieftains. 13.)

l82

Cupaio cpoDn, copnumac,

PpaecDo, ponnmap, popcamail,

Sepmach, peicpec, porecaipc,

Uaipcpech, cpiac-lonn, caipipmech;

Co n-imaD apm n-inniUci,

pd'n cac ap na copu5aD.

piaich peij, peca, poipcinech,

Rijoa, po-japj puicenca,

Dipiuch, opeach-oepj ooic-lebap,

^nuip-liac jlonn-meap, jpuaD-copcpa,

Qp ceapc-ldp m cara ]nn,

'5<i copcuo, '56 copujao,

'5^ laioiuo, 'jd luamaipecc ;

^cteDil uime ap apm-lapao,

Ic poillpiu^ao pipinoi,

Na plara 6p a puilic ]»ean ;

Upicha rail^enn ro^aioi,

Re h-ua Seona aj palm-ceaoul ;

Ni poich mrlecc aen oume,

Ni cic D*innpcTie aen cenjao,

^cniccD cenja cpe-poclac,

pfp-ujoaip no olloman,

C6p na reipc, na ruapupcbail,

Oomnaill co n-a Deaj-mmnncip,

Re h-imao a n-65 apmach,

Re jaibcige a n-jaipceoach,

• The Gads, — ^5°^^*^ uime. — Gaedhil writer wished to make the Druid remark

is the name for the Irish of the Scotic or that king Domhnall had the Gaedhil only

Milesian race in general ; and the name is about him, while Congal had people of

here rather incorrectly applied, unless the different nations who would not fight

i83

Composed q/" brave, defending heroes,

Who are furious, willing, valorous.

Firm, puissant^ docile,

Aspiring, lordly-strong, invincible,

With abundance of well-prepared weapons

Throughout the arrayed battalions.

A KING fierce, intelligent, steady.

Royal, furious, resplendent,

Upright, ruddy-faced, long-palmed,

Grey-visaged, active, red-cheeked,

In the centre of that army.

Steadying it, arraying it.

Exhorting it, guiding it ;

The Gaels* around him glittering in arms,

Showing the legitimacy

Of the king under whom they are ;

Thirty select clerics*^.

With the descendants of Sedna, singing psalms;

No intellect of man could conceive,

Nor could the language of any tongue,

Even the </ir^e-worded tongue

Of a true author or Olave,

Recount, delineate, or describe

Domhnall and his good people.

From the number of their armed youths,

The terribleness of their champions,

The

with the same enthusiasm for Congal as a distinguished saint or ecclesiastic. It

his own countrymen and blood relations could in this sense be translated by the

would for king DomhnalL Latin Antiites, which Colgan generally

f deriea, — ^Cpichacailjenncojaioi. — applies to St. Patrick.
Here the word oai^enn is used to denote

1 84

T?e leapDacc a laecpaiDe,

T?e Tneanmnaiji a mop-mileo,

Re rpiar-lumne a cpen-caifec,

Re niam-Kpain a nocc-claioem,

Re pcac-jlaine a pciac-luipec,

Re h-oll-jpich a n-ecpaiDi,

Re porpum a pann-bpacach,

Ic imluao, ic eicealaij,

Qp lonaib a n-dpo-cpafpec ;

Qen Dpem Dib po t>eppnai5pec,

Do jai^paoaib jlan-poola,

Cenel Conaill companiaij,

Cineo m pij po nepcmaip,

'N a cimcell '50 cepapjam,

Ic peiDiujaD peme-piun,

Chompaip caca cach-laichpec.

Ciucub Duib na cuapupcbail,

Na rapb-coonac cuaipcepcac :

Dub-pluaj; Decla, Danapoa,

pepjac, popcpen, poTn6pDa,

^puamoa, jlann-meap, jnuip-leran,

QpD, aouarmap lac-ynoe,

Co r)-5peann-niocpaib joipciDe,

Ic cui^e 'p ic riTTicellaD,

Q n-gpuao ip a n-^ulban-pum ;

Q leacan a laec-pmeijeao,

Qobal eaD a n-ulcan-pum,

ImpijiD

8 Fierce, — Dancqioa literally means ^ Fomorian-like, — The Fomoiians, ac-

Dane-like, fierce, and the existence of the cording to the Bardic History of Ireland,

word here shows that this story was com- were African pirates, who settled on the

posed after the arrival of the Danes. coast of Ireland in the early ages of Irish

i85

The numerousness of their heroes,

The highmindedness of their great soldiers,

The lordly vigour of their chieftains,

The guttering dreadfulness of their exposed swords,

The brightness of their defending coats of mail,

The high-spiritedness of their steeds.

The rustling of their standards

Streaming and floating

From the points of their lofty spears.

One party of them excel

The hosts of famed Fodhla,

The valiant Cinel Conaill,

The tribe of the very puissant king himself

Around him defending him.

Clearing the way before him,

The obstructions of each battle-field.

I will give you the description

Of the bull-like northern chieftains :

A bold and fierce^ black host.

Furious, mighty. Fomorian-like^

Grim, agile, broad-faced.

Tall, terrific are they.

With tufted beards'

Covering and surrounding

Their cheeks and their mouths,

Their faces and their heroic chins.

Great is the length of their beards !

They

history. Thej are described by the Irish IV. [1465], by which the Irish living

writers as cruel and tyrannical. within the English pale are commanded

' With tufted hfordi. — See Act 5 Edw. to shave off the beard above the mouth.

IRISH ARCH. BOO. 6. 2 B

1 86

Impijio 5a n-imlennaib;
ClaD-mailji na cac-mileD,
popbpic cap a pabpaoaib ;
bpocbla na pep pomopoa,
bpuic op-luaij 1 poppilliuo.
Cap popmnaib na pip-laec pin ;
Cpoicenn clum-t)ub ceacnaici,
Inopamail cac aen locaip,
pil impu ap na poppilleo ;
Ni 1615 nieo a Tnenmanpaio,
Doib apD-cennup o'aen ouine,
dec began ap bpacaippi,
popaemaic D'ua Qinmipec ;
5an cip, na jan comepgi,
Uacib 00 rig cijeapna,
Leac upjpaine oppoy»um
Riap na h-uilib Gojain pea.
TTlaips ^^ r<^ ^'^ r^ipt^ pium,
TTlap a caic pa cigepna,
Ina cp6 pa chnep-bpumne.
Q Ullcu Y a allmapchu,
TTlaips pop pil ic pupnaiDi,
In aipn-pi5 pa n-epjic pium,
Q Delb-pein ip oeppcnaigci,
Da cac Oeilb Dap Dej-cumaD,
TTlap epca 'n a oll-cui^eab,
Samail aigci h-ui ammipech,
No map spem op jlan-pennaib,
Opeac DomnaiU ap Depj-lapao,
Op cmD caich acciu.

T?i5paio

i87

They reach to their navels.

The prominent eyebrows of the warriors

Grow beyond their eyelashes.

The garments of these Fomorian men

Are valuable embroidered garments folded

Over the shoulders of these true heroes ;

The black-wooled skin of a sheep

Is the likeness of every article of dress

Which is folded about them.

The greatness of their highmindedness does not permit them

To give supremacy to any man,

Except a little, which, through relationship,

They cede unto the grandson of Ainmire,

Nor tribute, nor obeisance

Do they render to the house of a lord.

They bear a kind q/'half detestation

To all the race of Eoghan.

Wo to those who seek them,

Because they stand by their lord,

As a rampart to his very breast.

O Ultonians and foreigners !

Wo also to those who are awaiting

The monarch with whom they rise up :

His aspect is more dignified

Than any that was weU-fonned ;

Like the moon, in his great province

Is the fece of the grandson of Ainmire.

Or like the sun above the bright stars

Is the face of Domhnall red-glowing

Above all who see him.

2 B 2 The

1 88

Rijpaio Qilij oll-jorac,
Qpo-clanii Gojain anpara,
Sil na Colla compamac,
D'aen caib pip na h-Gojancaib,
Do Deip Domnaill Doic-lebaip^
Rigpaio Uempach caeb-jlame,
Cupaio Cpuacna clao-uame
Do cac-cliu na Conallac ;
Laijni^ Cianina lenn-maipi,
muimnij TTliiiji mop pemin,
Ocuf Chai]'il comoalaij,
1 copcao in caca pm,
'N-a popmnaib 'n-a lap-culaib.
Q amaip, a an-iippam,
Qipo-pij 6penn eccaiji,
Oll-cpian ^ci^'^^l' ^abaicpiom,
Re h-epji, pe h-impepain,

1 Clip caca ac ciu.

Qc cm c.

^upa ft\y ic paelaib Do copp, ap Conjal, ocup jupa pailiD

piac dpmuige op oo bpumne, ip puail nach ap claiip cecpaoa ap

cupao, ocup nac ap meacaip tneipnec ap raop-pluaj, pe cemne na

cepca

i The Imid'tmced. — The compounded of Connaught, so called from Cniachan,

adjectiye oll-jorach, which was the cog- now called Eath-Croghan, which was the

nomen of two of the Irish monarchs, is chief seat of the kings of Connaught.

translated ^andivocus by O'Flaherty, in ^Lageniaru of Liamhain, — ^aij^i^

Ogygia, part III. c 31. Ciainna. — The inhabitants of Leinster

^ Race of puissant Codas. — Sil na were called Caijnijj 6iaiTina from Oun

5-Colla, L e. the men of OirghialL Ciaihna, now Dunlavan (in the west of

' Qreen-sided CVtMic^n.— Cupaio Cpu- the county of Wicklow), one of the ancient

achna, L e. the inhabitants of the province residences of the kings of that province.

189

The loud-voiced^ princes of Ailech,

The high descendants of valiant Eoghan,

The progeny of the puissant Collas^,

At the side of the race of Eoghan,

On the right of the long-palmed Domhnall ;

The princes of the fair-sided Tara,

And the heroes of the green-sided Cruachan',

With the famed battalion of the Conallians,

The Lagenians of Liamhain"* of beautiful shirts,

The Momonians of the great plain of Feimin",

And of Cashel of assemblies,

To support that battalion,

In squadrons, in rear-troops.

The soldiers, the adherents

Of the monarch of noble Erin, —

The third part and upwards of the Gaels have come

To rise up to contend, in the van of the army

Which I have seen.

I have seen," &c.

" May thy body be a feast to wolves®," said Congal, " and may the

ravenous ravens rejoice over thy breast ; thou hast almost subdued

the senses of our heroes, and destroyed the courage of our great

troops by the strength of the account and description which thou

hast

^ Plain of Feimin, — TTlui^e Peiihin, of Jupa p^ip ic paelaib do copp, is modeni-

the plain of Feimen, a celebrated plain in izedinMac Morissy's copy jup ab f^ip a^

the south-east of the county of Tipperary, faelconaib 00 copp. The word paela is

extending from Knockgraffon southwards certainly here used to mean wolves, though

to the Kiver Suir, and from Cahir to the most usual name for the wolf is

Sliabh na m-ban, and to the boundary of paelcu or maccipe. The last native

the territory of the Hy-Eirc, in the south wolf seen in Ireland was killed on a

of ancient Ossory. mountain in the county of Kerry in the

o May thy body be a feast to wolves, — year 1725.

190

repca ocuy na ciiapu]^cbala cucaip ap apt)-niaitnb Gpenn, pd
n-aipo-pij;. dec aen nf, nf h-mcpeci o'dnpaDaib fpcra piabaipci,
peacpdnaca, paeb-popcecail na pean-Dpuao, ap na piabpao Do cic-
nellaib na cpine ; ocup nf tno ip meoaip pipe pinjli ocup popmolca
pdpa, popbannaca, poppdiblije na pileo, ap n-a m-buiDecup Do
bpecaib cpoma, caipbepcaca cpiac jaca cipe ma ceacaiD. Qcr
acd nf cena, ap Gonial, cumjim-pi pdm' rp6i6ib ci^epnaip, mun-baD
pell ap emec Dam-pa Dpaf no Deijpep Dana Do Dich na Do DicennaD,
ip DO luac-imcap mo lama-pa cicpaDip Do cpom-nella ciuj-bap-pa
pepiu pa cumaipcDip na caca ceccapDa pa ap a cell.

Leic app, ale, na h-impaiD manaipccp, ap DubDiaD, muna ci
mo raec laici nuj-ba-pa leac ip m laicea pea 1 puilim, a Chonjail,
a cum^iD, ni muipbpepu mipi na neac eli Dap eip aiplij; na h-aen-
TTlaipci pea; uaip ni biapu aj ba^up na aj buaDnaipi ap biDbaiD
o'n TTlaipc-laici pea amac co bpumne bpara. dec aen nf, ciD
aDbal agaib-pi mo cepca-pa, ocup mo cuapupcbala ap cpiar
buiDnec Caillcen, ocup ap jlepi n-^^i^^^U baigim-pi bpiarap, jupa
bee DO rpian a cepca ocup a cuapuf»cbalci 1 canac-pa ^up rpapca.
Qp nip pupail ainjel d' ainjlib niam-poillpi naem-mme do rupem
a cepra ocup a ruapupcbala, .1. pe puicnib a pi^, ocup pe h-apm-
5pain a n-aipec, ocup pe mepnij a mileD, pe comrnuc a cupaD, pe
jpuamDacc a n-^aipceDac, pe lonn-bpuc a laecpaiDi, pe caipm-
5pi^ a cpen-pep, pe h-olbDacc a n-amup, pe h-aclaime a n-o^baD ;
ocup Din pop pe puacDacc a pepji, pe gpam-paipcpi a n-jairlenn,
pe baDb-Dlup a m-bpacach, pe loinnpije a luipec, pe clap-len a
cloiDem, ocup pe leapDacc a lebap-pciac, pe pdp-Dluiri a pleaj ap

n-a

P The wavering^ 4^. — ^These look very "^I twear by my characteritticB of a lord,
like the words of a modem sceptic, but — Le,bymycoiirage,iny valour, my muni-
there can be no question about the ge- fioence, and other attributes inseparable
nuineness of the passage. from the true character of a chieftain.

191

hast given of the axch-chiefs of Erin under their monarch. But there
is one thing, the wavering^, imaginative, wandering, false-instructing
words of the old druids are not to be believed by warriors, they hav-
ing grown obsolete by the showery clouds of antiquity ; neither are
the empty, vain, and fabulous words and panegyrics of poets cheer-
ing, which are remunerated by the heavy awards and rich rewards
of the chieftains of each country in which they come. But be this as
it may," said Congal, " I swear by my characteristics of a lord"", that,
were it not a violation of protection*" in me to put to death or behead
a druid or good man of poetry, it would be from the rapid motion of
my hand that thy heavy clouds of final dissolution would be brought,
before these two armies should come in collision with each other."

" Lay aside these unbecoming sayings," said Dubhdiadh ; " unless
my day of final dissolution shall be brought about by thee this day,
in which I exist, O Congal, O hero, thou shalt not kill me or any other
person after the slaughter of this one Tuesday ; for thou shalt not
threaten or menace an enemy from this Tuesday forth till the day
of judgment. But there is one thing, though strong ye deem my
account and description of the populous prince of Tailltenn and
of the choicest of the Gaels, I pledge my word that I have as yet
given but a little of the third part of the description and account of
them, for it would require an angel of the bright angels of sacred
heaven to give an account and description of them, in consequence
of the magnificence of the king, the terror of the arms of the chief-
tains, the courage of the soldiers, the emulation of the heroes, the
grimness of the champions, the force of the warriors, the fiery vigour
of the mighty men, the dexterity of the soldiers, and activity of the
youths ; and in consequence, moreover, of the stubbornness of their
anger, the horribleness of viewing their javelins, the closeness of their

standards,

'' Protection, einech in this sense undoubtedly means protection or guarantee.

192

n-a puiOiujao 1 lamaib a laec-mileD. dec aen nf, po pao pciDm,
ocup po pao upmaipi aipij no pfp-laic puipec pe pejat) a peinneo,
ocup pe caiobpeo a cuapupcbala, .1. pe bpepim, ocup pe boljpa-
oaig a cupat), ocup a cac-mileaD, pe ppen^ail ocup p6icpet)ai5 a
pinnpep, ocup a pen-Dame ic pancujao Da bap paigiD pi ; pc
ppuchlao ocup ppian^aip a n-jpaiji n-jlepca, n-jlomap-cennpa, 1
5-coTnluc pa caipprechaib, i copcuD ocup ic coDnujaD in cara
impu ap each aipD, gup ob pcfca, pceimnneca mairi na mileD, pe
meo a peDma, ic popujuD na peap, ocup ic coDnu^aD m caca, uaip
ni cennpa a cupaiD pe coDnujaD, ocup ip cocpaD pe cpiacaib

^ Coats of maU, — "Re lomnpi^e a lui-

pech The Irish word luipech, which is

supposed to be derived from the Latin
larica, certainly signifies a coat of mail,
but antiquarians do not admit that the
Irish had the use of mail armour so early
as the period at which this battle was
fought Giraldus Cambrensis, who describ-
ed the battle dress of the Irish in the
twelfth century, says that they went naked
to battle : — '^ Preterea nudi et inennes ad
bella procedunt Habent enim arma pro
onere. Inermes vero dimicare pro audaci^
reputant et honore." (Dist. III. c 10.)
And O'Neill's bard^ Mac Namee^ in de-
scribing the havoc made of the Irish in
the battle of Down, fought in the year
1260, states that the English were in
one mass of iron, while the Irish were
dressed in satin shirts only.

Cearqiom do cuaoop *pa car

^oiU acof 5"*^'^'^ Ceihpac:
Cimze caeih-ppoiU ap cloinn Chuinn,
^oill \nj n-acn-bpom lapuinn.

"Unequal they entered the battle,
The Galls and the Gaeb of Tara :
Fair satin shirts on the race of Conn,
The Ckdls in one mass of iron."
If, therefore, luipech means mail ar-
mour, it would go to prove that this ac-
count of the battle of Ma^h Rath was
composed after the Irish had adopted the
custom of wearing armour from the Eng-
lish, unless it be proved that the ancient
Irish themselves had the use of it, and lef^
it off afterwards in the twelfth and thir-
teenth centuries; but this will hardly be
admitted. The utmost that can be argued
in favour of the antiquity of the tale is,
that it might possibly have been composed
after the Danes had introduced the use of
armour into Ireland. But it looks on
the other hand very extraordinary, that
there is no mention made of the battle-
axe throughout this whole story, a fact
which would seem to prove that it was
written before the time of Cambrensis,
when almost every Irishman carried a

193

standards, the shining of their coats of mail', the hollow broadness
of their swords*, the great size of their shields, the closeness of their
lances* fixed in the hands of their warlike soldiers. But there is
one thing, it would be the business and improvement of a chief or
true hero to remain to view their heroes and conceive their descrip-
tion : the shouts and acclamations of their heroes and warriors, the
panting and aspirations of their seniors and old men coveting to
attack you ; the snorting and neighing of their caparisoned, bridle-
tamed steeds bounding under chariots", supporting and command-
ing the battle around them in every direction; so that the chiefs
of the soldiers are fatigued and excited from the greatness of their
exertion in restraining the men and commanding the battle, for

their

battle- axe, as they do walking-sticks at
present. '^De antiqud imo iniqud con-
suetudine, semper in manu quasi pro ba-
culo securim bajulant, &c. k<i.^9kseeuribua
nvXitk 9ecurita9.'^'* (Dist. III. c. 21).

• The hollow broadness of their swords, —
l?e clap-leci a 3-cloiDem. — In Mac Mo-
rissy's copy pe ^lan-cairneimci a j-cloi-
oeuih, i. e. by the bright glittering of their
swords. It is remarkable that Giraldus
Cambrensis makes no mention of the sword
among the military weapons used by the
Irish in his time, though it appears from
all their own histories, annals and histo-
rical tales, that they had the cloioeiii,
L e. Radius or sword, from the earliest
dawn of their history ; and indeed the
omission of the sword in Giraldus's de-
scription of Irish military weapons is
sufficient to throw great doubts on his
accuracy ; but it may have happened that

IRISH ARCH. SOC. 6. 2

in his time the Irish generally used the
battle-axe instead of the sword. Spenser
describes the Irish sword as a hand broad
in his own time, and seems to consider
that such was derived from the Scythians,
from whom he believed the Irish to be
descended.

* Lances. — The Sleoj was certainly
the lance or spear,

" Charioteers. — pa caipprechaib. —
This seems to refer to war chariots. The
word caippcech is thus used in the Lea-
bhar Breac, fol. 49, 6, a, which puts its
meaning beyond any doubt : — Qirpech
cpa la popano in cecu^uo cucap cap 00
cloino Ippael, co came ina n-oecq^ai6
pe cec CQlRpOeCb cen^ailce, ocup
pepcac mile cpoi^ech.

This is a reference to Exodus, xiv.
7 : — " And he took six hundred chosen
chariots and all the chariots of Egypt," &c.

194

a cmpmepc, ocup \y cejupca rogaioi ci^epnaip , ocup if F"^5^'
peip, F^UraniariDa, popbapcaca pileo popcap ocup impuipjep lac
jan bap n-mnpaijio Dap in peib, ocup Dap in pio^aib po opDaijpec
bap n-apD-naim, ocup bap n-ollomaui aODpaib; uaip ip aen peinfi
ocupaen pun acu uile o'a bap n-inopai^ii). Rojabpacap mop-caca
ITluman mian ocup molbraiji pe manoap na mop-gliao; poppac
lainnecha, lan-olboa Laipn co lacaip o'a luac-copnam ; poppac
cpooa, comoicpa cupaio Cpuacna ocup Connacc pe comppespa m
cara; poppac bpocla, bopb-paicech, bpeag-pluaj bomne, ocup
LaechpaioLiachopoma; poppac puncaij. pancaca, papaigri^ bopb-
pluaj bajach, bmpcaiji, buippeoac, coy»cpac, cpooa, caipoemail,
laecoa, luac-japg leonmnra, pepjac, popgpuamDa, pepconca,
ccnnap, cecpaoach, comceneoil Conaill, ocup Gojain, ocup Qip-
jiall o'aen-caib ocup o'aen-laim ocup D'acn-aignco o'd bap n-inn-
paijiD. Uaip ip uaicib nach elaicep, ocup ip rpicu nac cia^ap,
ocup ip caipppib nac cojaiprep, ocup oin, ip t)o combaig, ocup Do
comepji na cupao pm cujaib-pi nac paicpi oume oo'n oine Deme-
nac pa Ulao ocup allmapac a cuac ma a c]ieab-aicTne. Ocup om
ciD ibpi Do paemao anao ap pdm-coniaoaib piba, ni h-anpao m
c-apo-plaich-uah-Qinmipec, ap n-epji a pepji, ocupap copujao a
cara, ocup o'n uaip po laopac ocup po imcompaicpec ime a n-aen-
pecc comea^ap cupao Conaill ocup Go5ain ocup Qipjiall, nf mo
na oo mipbuilib aipo-pij na nuili cicpao caipmepc cpeacain ocup

cpen-puacaip

^ The Bregtan koiU of the Boyne 6pe5-

f luaj 66inne. — The River Boyne flows
through the plain of Bregia, which was
the ancient name of a very extensive tract
of Mcath, containing five cantreds or ba-
ronies. Dr. O'Conor says that the Boyne
formed one of its boundaries, but this does

not agree with the ancient authorities,
which place the plain of Magh bolg [Moy^
bolgue] in it, and describe it as extending
beyond Kells, and as far as the Rivex
Casan.

bpeo^-plua^ bomne, would also bear
the translation ^^the fine troops of the

195

their heroes are not mild to be commanded, and it is a torment
to chieftains to be restrained ; so that it is the judicious instructions
of lords, and the keen, philosophic, and instructive words of the
poets that restrain and keep them from attacking you, contrary to
the directions and rules made by yoiir saints and oUaves between
you ; for they have all the same bent and determination to attack
yoiL The great battalions of Munster have got a desire and thirst
for fight at the onset of the great conflict. The Lagenians are spear-
armed and fully prepared to maintain the field. The heroes of
Cruachain and Connaught are brave and diligent to attend the
battle. The Bregian hosts of the Boyne'' and the heroes of Liath-
druim'' are furious and menacing. The races of Conall and Eoghain
and the Oirghialls are active, covetous, oppressive, furious, menac-
ing, vulneriferous, uproarious, exulting, brave, united, heroic, ra-
pidly-fierce, lion-like, angry, grim, dog-like, slaughtering, vigilant
with one accord one hand and one mind to attack you. For from
them no escape can be made, through them no passage can be forced,
and over them no force will prevail. And of the union and rising
up together of these heroes to you it will come to pass that not a
man of this last tribe of the Ultonians and foreigners will ever see his
country or tribe. And moreover, even though ye should now consent
to come to the tranquil conditions of peace, the monarch the grand-
son of Ainmire would not, his anger being raised and his army being
arrayed for battle. And since the combined bodies of the heroes of
the races of Conall and Eoghan and the Oirghialls have closed and

united

Boyne," but this is evidently not the stantly used by the poets, to the no small
meaning intended. confusion of their readers. For some ac-

^ Heroes of Liathdruim Caechpaio count of the five ancient names of Tara

6iachopoma Liathdruim was one of the see Petrie's History and Antiquities of

ancient names of Tara Hill, which is con- Tara Hill, p. io6.

2C2

196

cpen-puacaip m apD-plara h-ui Qinmipec o'd bap n-innpaigio ; ^up
ob f uaill nap capm-cpicnaij m calam pa a cpaijrib, ap n-oepjao
a opechi, ocup ap n-jpfpao a ^puaioi, ap puaiTnniu^ao a puipc,
ocup ap noccao a mam-claiDiTn, ap pclano-bepcujao a pccir, ap
cocbail ocup ap caipbenao a cpaipiji cenn-juipme cara op a cint>
1 ccpc-aipt)i, pa'n ppoll-mepji puaicnio, ppebnaioi, paeb-copach,
polup-pennach, penca, pa ppechaic, ocup pa puioijic pleja ocup
bpacaca bpeac-mcpgeaoa aipo-pigpaiDi Gpenn uile, ap cac nipo,
ocup aobepc na bpiachpa pa :

Ro cojbaic na Tnepji reap,

aj piuo Domnall ip m cpep ;

nfc bia luaj puicpi do cenn,

ac ciu cac pua6 pij Gpenn.
Qcaic uile na pomul,

ni jeib eajla na omun,

ip eab luarai^ip m cac

pep5 mop ap h-ua Qinmepech.
ITlet) a clamim japca juipm,

puil na oeip Dccla buipno !

ip mec a pceic moip pe aip,

mco a laigne leacan-jlaip.
Puilic cpi neoill op a cino,

nell 50pm, nell Dub, ncll pmD ;

nell jopm m jaipceD jlain jle,

ip nell pinD na pipinDe.

puil

^ Consecrated satin banner. — Senca. — Cinel Conaill ; it was kept by Magroarty,

The cathach of St Qolumbkille which was who resided at Ballymagroarty, near the

a consecrated reliquary of that saint, was town of Don^al.
generally carried in the banner of the ^ The size of his broad green spear, —

197

united around him together, nothing less than the miraculous inter-
position of the King of all will stay the fury and mighty onslaught of
the monarch the grandson of Ainmire against you. And the earth
had almost quaked under his feet when his face reddened, his cheek
blushed, and his eye sparkled, when he exposed his bright sword,
when he adjusted his shield, and raised and exhibited to view his
blue-headed warlike lance over his head aloft, under the variegated,
streaming, floating, star-bright, consecrated satin banner*, about which
are placed and ranged the lances and variegated banners of all the
chieftains of Erin from every quarter ;" and he [Dubhdiadh] said
these words :

** The standards have been raised to the south ;

There is Domhnall in the battle ;

Thou wilt not be joyous, thou shalt leave thy head ;

Thou shalt see the mighty army of the men of Erin.
They are all alike ;

They take neither fear nor dread ;

What hastens the battle

Is the great anger of the grandson of Ainmire.
Oh the size of the expert blue sword

Which is in his valiant right hand !

And the size of his great shield beside it !

The size of his broad green spear^ !
There are three clouds over his head,

A blue cloud, a black cloud, a white cloud ;

The blue cloud of fine bright valour.

And the white cloud of truth.

There

TTleo a laipie learan-jlaip. Gratianus province of Leinster took the name of

Lucius renders the word lai^ne, lanceay in Laighen from the introduction of the

his translation of Keating. It is stated broad-headed lance by Labhra Loingsech,

in the Bardic History of Ireland that the one of its kings, from Graul.

198

puil op a cmo 05 eijmij,

caillec loTTi, luac 05 leimnij

Of eannaib a n-apm pa pcmr,

ip 1 in moppi5u monj-liach.
In poo ap a puipmenn pm,

'p ap a coipnenn a cpaigio

pe meo po puaimni^ a pope,

ip Oia nia'p cualainj a coj'c.
Comaipli uaim oom' acaip,

biD comaipli co pacam,

pe Tnioium na car co n-jpam,

a od pijio 00 cogbail.

T?o c;

Ip ann pm po mio ocup po muamnij lapla amjic, ecpocap Ulao,
.1. Gonial Claen, comaipli ouaibpech, oemnacoa, o'lppugao eng-
numa Ulao ocup allmapach, 00 cepcu5UD a capaio ocup a cpen-
lamai5 pe cup m cara, nac gabao ocup nach seimligeo oib ace
each opem ap a n-aipeocab elanj, pe cup ocup pe cepcujuo a
capaio. Conao e aipeaj uapapcap pum oppo pe ppomao caca
pip UUcaij ocup o'pip allmapac, .1. cac pa peach uairib oa mnpai-
510 1 ppfm-ipcao a puibli. Ocup pep puacoa, popgpanna co n-oub-
5a n-ouiabpec co cmo coiolige cpuaio lechaip m aicill popgaim
ip m oapa h-uppamo, ocup pepjlonn popmep pip-jpanoa peapcon ip

rigu is introduced as the Bellona of this
people. In the Book of Leinster, fol. 16,
6, 6, she is called the daughter of Emmas,
and said to have resided in the Si^ki or
fairy palaces.

• The Earl of IT&ter.— lapla Ulao.—
Is laiia an original Irish word ? Was it
borrowed from the Danes ? or are we to

■ Mtyrrigu, — TTIoppiju. — She was one of
the wives of the Dagda, and the goddess
of battle among the Tuatha dc Dananns,
the colony which preceded the Scoti or
Milesians in their occupation of Ireland —
See Battle of Magh Tuiredh, preserved
in the MS. H. 2. 16. in the Library of
Trinity College, Dublin, where this Mor-

199

There is over his head shrieking

A lean, nimble hag, hovering

Over the points of their weapons and shields :

She is the grey-haired Morrigu*.
On the sod on which he treads.

On which he lays down his foot.

So much has his eye sparkled.

None but God can repress him.
An advice from me to my father.

It is an advice with reason,

Before the battalions of terror shall be viewed.

To raise his two hands.

The standards," &c.

It was then the malicious and merciless Earl of Ulster', Congal
Claen, ruminated and imagined a dire, demoniacal design, to test the
valour of the XJltonians and foreigners, to try their activity and might
at arms before engaging in the battle, in order that none of them might
be restrained or fettered excepting only such as would betray an in-
clination to flight** on their courage being tested and tried ; so that
the scheme he adopted for proving every true [/. e. truly courageous]
Ultonian, and for testing every foreigner was this : each of them res-
pectively was to go in to him to the principal apartment in his tent,
while a fierce and terrible man, with a black, fearful javelin*^ with a
hard leather head, in readiness to thrust, was at the one jamb [of

the

come to the conclusion that this battle « Fearful javelin, — pep co n-oub- ja,

was written after the time of John De &c. — For a similar anecdote, see Leabhar

Courcey, who was the first person who Gabhala of the O'Clery's, an extract from

obtained the title of Earl of Ulster? which is printed in the Preface to Circuit

^Flight — dp a n-aipeooaiD. — The text of Muirchertach Mac Neill, published by

is here corrected from Mac Morissy's copy, the Irish Archaeological Society, p. 2 1.

200

in uppaint) ele co n-upnapc impemap lapnaiDi aip, i cental oo
cuailb cocaijci conjbala. buacaill bpojDa ic a bpofcat) 'na cepc-
papaD pe cope no coinjpepacc. Ocup m can cicpan Ullcach no
allmapac ecuppu, m inao a aimpigci, t)o bepeo pep m cpuao-jai
cmD coiobje pop^um aip ip m oapa h-uppamo. Ocup clipe6 in
cu cuiji pa'n cuma cecna ap in uppaino eli. Da pilleo no oa pop-
pcdcaije m pep pm pe pnipmeD pip in popgaim ocup pe cpuao-jloini
in chon ic up-noccat) a piacal ocup ic comoplujuo a cappaic o'd
cepcao no oa rpen-jabail, oo jabca ocup Oo ^eiTnligrea ^an puipec
e-pein. Ocup om m ce cicpao jan popachc gan pobio^ao a
h-uachbapaib m aipi^ pin oo lei^cea jan lan-gabail. Qcr cena
ip e pob aipigio upgabala pe cac ip in cleap pm Duboiao Dpai.
D015 ip pe ppim-pegi na puipli po popcao ocup po h-upgabao epem
ic oola ap oibla ocup ap oapacc, pe huacbap m popgaim jnn. Cio
cpacc ni ppic pep jan elang no jan eciplen co pepoomun puilec,
mac Imomain, uaip ba h-epem con ciuchail in com cpe n-a cappaic
gup compoino a cpaioi o'd claioem caca 'n-a cliab, ocup po ope
pep m pop^aiTU ip m uppaino eli 'na cepc-oegaio ^an caijill o'a
cpaipij. Ocup cucupcap cpi beimenna biobanaipgan caigill jan
compejao, Oo Gonial, 00 oi^ail a oobeapc ap Ullcaib ocup ap
allmapacaib, 5up mapbupcap '^wj\ '^<ir\y\, mac Glaip Deipj, a
oalca, ba piaonaipi 00. Ocup a jilla 5^'P S^"'^^ ^^^ Sluagain,
ceann cumoaij ocup commopca caca claen-oala le Gonial. Im
jabaip lapla Ulao pepoomun ic cabaipc in cpep bemi, gup
benupcap m claioem ina cepc mao, gup compamo in imoai^ n-aip-

ecaip

** He was taken and fettered^ Sfc, — i. e. fly from the battle except by general con-

tbose whose courage did not stand the test sent. Those whose courage had stood the

of passing into the tent between the armed ordeal, were not so secured, because it was

warrior and the hound, were tied together taken for granted that they would " byde

so as to render it impossible for them to the brunt to the death."

!201

ihe.door of the tent], and a furious, swift, fearful hound at the other
jamb, haying on hini a thick iron collat, fastened to a strong pole to
keep him; a sturdy boy beside him to check or incite him; and when
an Ultoliian or foreigner would come between them, where he could
be attacked, the man with the hard leather-headed javelin was to
make a thrust at him jfrom the one jamb, and the hound, in like
manner, to spring at him jfrom the other jamb. Should the man to
be chosen turn back, or take fright at the attack of the man with the
spear, or at the dire onset of the hound exposing his teeth and ex-
tending his jaws to teai: or hold him fast, he was taken and fettered
without delay*. But he who had passed the horrors of this mode of
trial, without panic or dismay, was left without restraint. The first man,
whose courage was, before all, tested by this plan, was Dubhdiadh,
the Druid, for he was stopped and taken on the highest pole [ridge-
pole] of the tent, having been panic stricken and driven to distraction
at the horror of this attack [i. e. mode 0/ trial]. In short there weis
not found a man who did not shrink and fly from it except Ferdoman
the Bloody, the son of Imoman*, but he cleft the hound's jaws and
cut in twain its heart in its breast with his warUke sword, and im-
mediately after slew without mercy with his lance the man who was
armed with the spear at the other jamb, and rushing into the tent
he made three hostile blows at Congal without mercy or consi-
deration, to revenge upon him his evil treatment of the Ultonians and
foreigners, in exposing them to the ignominy of such a trials and
slew Gair Gann, the son of Elar Derg, his foster-son, in his presence,
and his servant, Gair Gann, the son of Slugan, the latter the chief con-
triver and plotter of every evil counsel for Congal. The Earl of Ulster
avoided Ferdoman in giving the third blow, and the sword struck

the

• Ferdoman the Bloody^ t9te son of Imo- account of this warrior has been found in
man, — peapoomun mac Imomain. — No anj other document.

IBISH ARCH. SOC. 6. 2 D

^02

ecaif cpempi co ralmam. Qcc cena bai^m co pip, ap pepoo-
mun, nac oepnaip oo oupcao Oibepji, nd o'popbao pip-uilc icip
epmn ocup Qlbam nac aichpinD-f*ea ope, muna im^aibrea m inao.
Qcc aca ni but) aipcipi ano, .1. ep^i jup cpapca, ocup nacara 00
copu^ut), ocup na cupaio do comgpepachc, ocup 11a h-apo-maici
D'acallaiTYi, ina na h-amampi ocup na h-ainigne cucaip ap Ullcaib
ocup ap allmapacGib Do'n cuaic-bepc gup cpapca; uaip ip peiom
op na peomannaib, ocup ip popncapc nac pulaingcep plaich-pig
peap pumio, .1. Domnall, mac Qeoa, Do nepc-ppcagpa aniug.
Roc pia buaio, a cac-miliD, op Gonial, ip pecc Ruopaigeach pin,
ocup ip ppejpa pip Ullcaig ; ace cena, bio a pip aguc-pa, jopa
pep ppepcail cacha placa, coipc ocup cuppaigci caca cupao
Conjal, ap peiom ocup ap engnum, ap ouchup, ocup ap Oej-gnim.
Ocup pa luaioecap m laiD pea, ocup laibepcap ip in laio, ap ip
eapbaoac 6'a h-at)bap :

6pi5, a Chongail TTlaca,

ocup copaij na caca,

mop m peiOm pa cucaip laim,

pig map Domnall t)o oingbail.
Cio ma buD peiom mop com' laim,

Ouine ap oomun 00 Dingbail,

me booem am ponn caca,

am ua pij ip po-placa.

^King of the men of the West. — piaich-
P'S F«P F"»"«6,—Le. of Ireland. Keating
writes that Crioch na bh-Fuineadhach,
i. e. the county of the Hesperides, was the
second name which was given to Ireland.

^Success. — Roc pia, a verb defective, is
explained take or receive by Peter Con-

pi nnaiD

nell; it occurs very frequently in the
Book of Lismore, but it is not explained
in any printed Irish dictionary.

^ The argument of which is defective. —
This shows that the writer of the story had
ancient MS. authorities for his fact&

i Macha. — ^TTIacha, — i e. of Armagh.

203

the exact spot where he had sat, and cut the royal couch in twain to
the earth. " I swear truly," said Ferdoman, *' that hadst thou not
slunk from thy place, thou hast not stirred up any disloyalty, nor
eflfected any certain evil between Erin and Alba, which I would not
have revenged upon thee. It would have been more becoming in
thee to have risen up at once, arrayed the battalions, roused the war-
riors, and harangued the arch-chiefs, than to have annoyed and insulted
the Ultonians and foreigners by such a perverse deed as thou hast
just committed ; but it is an exertion beyond exertions, and an effort
of which we are incapable, to respond to the king of the men of the
West^, Domhnall, son of Aedh, this day." " Mayest thou have suc-
cess*, O warrior," said Congal, " what thou hast said is the paroxysm
of a Rudrician and the reply of a true Ultonian. But be it known to
thee that Congal, for his vigour and dexterity, for his descent and
goodly deeds, is a man to respond to any chieftain, and to withstand
and repress any hero." And this poem was spoken, the argument
to which is defective^ :
Ferdoman, — " Arise, Congal of MachaS

And array the battalions.
Great is the task thou hast taken in hand,
To resist a king like DomhnalL"
Congal — " Why should it be a great exertion for my hand

To resist any man in the world,
I myself being a bulwark of battle.
The grandson of a king^ and a great prince.

Know

i Orandsan of a king — CIm ua pi^. — history has preserved, being the senior re-
See pedigree of Congal, at the end of this presentatire of the ancient kings of Emania
volume, from which it appears that he or Ulster, whose history is more certain
had just claims to all that he boasts of, than that of any other line of princes pre-
fer he was descended from the most heroic served in the Irish annals, not excepting
and most ancient line of princes that Irish even the monarchs of the Hy-Niall race.

2D2

204

pinnait) ja lin aca amuij,
mac Qeoa, aipo-pig CI1I15 ?

in F^^^P ^^^^ "^''^ 5^ r^>
m lia Doib ina ofiinne?

Coic cuigiD, a oepap ann,

arair in lacaib 6peann,

arair uile, aioblib jal,

1 c'a^aiD ace aen coiceo.
Qca imapcaiO eli,

ic cenn, a uf RuDpaijje,

ac coiceD f^'^> p^^^^ n-palla,

Conall, Gojan, Qipjialla.
Qlbanaij uaim na n-ajaib,

ip CU15 ceo a CmD Tna^aip,

omjebac cuijeO mdo car,

ceqii meic ailli Gachach.
Tn'amaif ocup mo DeopaiD,

1 n-aijib Ceneoil Go^ain,

me booein ocup mo ^aill,

1 n-ajait) Ceneoil Conaill.
D' Ullcaib noc ap pupail lem,

a ceicpe comlm 'na cenn,

nip lia laec cpuai6 Do clecc jail,

o' F^paib Gpenn na o' Ullcaib.

^Arek'king of Ailech. — CIipopij (I1I15. end of this volume.

— After the desertion of Tara, in the « Cenn Maghair. — Cinn niajgaip is still

year 563, the monarchs of the northern so called, bj (hose who speak the Irish

Hy-Niall generally resided at Ailech, near language, but anglicised Kionaweer ; it is

Deny. situated near Mulroy Lough, in the baro-

' DeseendanU of Btidhraighe, — Qui ny of Kihnacrenan, and in the county

Ruopai je. — See Congal's pedigree at the of Donegal. In the paper copy Dun nio-

"TF^

Know ye the number that are yonder

With the son of Aedh, arch-king of Ailech* ?
Does any among you know as yet,
Whether they are more numerous than we ?"
Ferdoman. — " The five provinces, it is said,

That are in the land of Erin,
Are all, — ^great their valour, —
Against thee, except one province.

There is another odds

Against thee, descendant of Rudhraighe',
In thine own province, — a capturing force, —
The races of Conall and Eoghan, and the Airghialla."
CongaL — " The Albanachs jfrom me against them.

And five hundred from Cenn Maghair*,
The four beauteous sons of Eochaidh
Will repel one province in the battle.

My soldiers and my exiles
Against the race of Eoghan,
Myself and my foreigners
Against the race of Conall.

For the Ultonians I would not deem it too much
To have four times their number against them,
There were not more heroes", accustomed to battle,
Of the men of all Erin than of the Ultonians.

naio is read instead of Cinn TTIa^ip, ster alone produced as many heroes as all

which seems the correct reading, for Cinn the other provinces put together. The

Magkair did not at this period belong to modem Ultonians, of the ancient Irish or

Congal, and he could not, therefore, have Milesian race, still retain this conceit of

any forces out of it their own valour, as the Editor has had

" There were not more heroes^ — ^L e. Ul- frequent opportunities of learning.

2o6

Ro paD Dib Concobap coip,

po pao t)ib pepjup, mac R615,
po paD t)ib Do Choin na clep,
po poo Dib Conall comt)ep,

Ro paD Dib DO clainD Ro|»a,
pecc tneic ailli pepgupa;
po paD Dib Celccaip na cac,
ocuf Laejaipe buaDach.

Ro paD Dib luce Conaille,
Qen^up, mac Laime 5^^ >
po paD Dib, ba peppDe in Dal,
Nafpi ocup Qmli ip QpDan.

° Cinichobhar. — ConcoBap, — L e. Con-
chobar Mac Nessa, king of Ulster, under
whom the heroes of the Red Branch flou-
rished, as has been already often remarked.

P Fergits^ the son of Roigh. — F^P5"r»
mac Roijh — He was king of Ulster
immediately preceding Conchobbar Mac
Nessa, by whom, and whose myrmidons, he
was dethroned. He afterwards passed into
Ck)nnaught, where he was received by
Olill,. King of Connaught, and his queen,
the celebrated heroine Meave, who assisted
him to wage a war on the Ultonians, which
was carried on for the space of seven, or,
according to others, ten years.

•» Cu ofthefeaU,—C\y na-5-cleaf,— i. e.
Cu of the feats of arms. This was Cu
Chulainn, one of the heroes of the Bed
Branch, who is called by the azmalist
Tighernach, ^^/orti$9imtti hero$ Scotcrumy

^ QmcJL — Conall,*— L e. Conall Cear^
nacb, another of the heroes of the Bed

Branch ; for an account of whom see
Keating, in his account of the heroes of
Ulster who flourished under Conchobhar
Mac Nessa.

• Bace of Boss. — Clann Ropo, — L e.
the descendants of Ross the Red, the son
of Rudhraighe, ancestor of the Clanna
Rudhraighe.

^Sons ofFerpis. — Sec^ meic Pcpjupa.
— The seven sons of Fergus, that is, of
Fergus Mac Roigh, mentioned above in
Note P. These were Eoghan, Feartlachtgha,
Core, sumamed Feardoid, Ciar, sumamed
Moghtaeth, Cormac, sumamed Moghdoid,
Uada Ethlenn, and Corbolonn. Meave,
Queen of Connaught, was the mother of
three of these sons, viz., of Conmac, Ciar,
and Core, who became the founders of
many powerful families— JSee Ogygia,
Part lU. c. 46, and Mac Firbis's Genealo-
gies of the Clanna Rudhraighe.

" Celtchar of the ^oafej.^— Celccaip na

207

Of them was Conchobhar® the Just;

Of them was Fergus, the son of Boigh^ ;

Of them was Cu"* of the Feats ;

Of them was Conall' the Comely.
Of them were the race of Ross*,

The seven beauteous sons of Fergus^;

Of iheisx were Celtchar of the Battles",

And Laeghaire the Victorious^.
Of them too were the people of Conaille,

Aengus, son of Lamh Gaibhe'',

Of them were, — of whom they would boast,-

Naisi, Ainli, and Ardan*.

Ij-coe. — He was one of the heroes of the
Red Branch, and gave name to Dim Celt-
chair, a very large fort near the town of
Downpatrick. — See Book of Leinster, fol.
66, a, where he is called of Leth glais,
another ancient name for Downpatrick.
Colgan writes of this hero as follows, in a
note to the life of St. Bridget by Animo-
8U8, Lib. iL c. 99: "Hie Eeltcharius nu-
meratur in vetustis nostris hystoriis inter
prsecipuos Hibemiae heroes seu athletas,
iloruitque tempore Concavarii regis Ulto-
niae circa ipsa Filii Dei Incamati tem-
pera." — Trias Tkaum. p. ^66^ n. 52.

^ Laeghaire the Victoritms. — Cae^ipe
6uaDac_He was also one of the heroes
of the Red Branch : for an account of his
death see Keating. The chiefs of Ulster,
before the expulsion of Fergus Mac Roigh
into Connaught by his successor, Concho-
bhar Mac Nessa, are set down in a vellum
MS- in the Library of Trinity College, (H.

2. 1 6. p. 769.) as follows : " These were the
twelve chiefs of Ulster : Fergus Mac Roich,
Conall Ceamach, Laeghaire the Victorious,
Cuchullin, Eoghan Mac Durthacht, Celtr
chair Mac Uitechair, Blai Brughaidh,
Dubhthach Dael Uladh, Ailill Milteng,
Conall Anglonach, Muinremur Mac Gerr-
ginn, and Cethem Mac Fintain." They
were all at the Banquet of Bricrinn, of
which a curious account is given in the
Book of Leinster.

""Aengiu, son of Lamh Gaibhe, — Qcnjur
TTIac 6ainie 3^ibe« — He was also one of
the heroes of the Red Branch. Some ac-
count of him and his father, Lamh Gaibhe,
or Lamh Grabhaidh, is preserved in the
Book of Leinster, fol. 73, a, a.

* Naisi, Ainliy andArdan, — These were
the three sons of Uisnech, celebrated in
the Romantic Tale called Oighidh Clainne
Uisnech, published by Theophilus O'Fla-
nagan, in the Transactions of the Geelic

2o8

Ro pao Dib-pm ap poOain,
clann cupaca Concobaip;
po pao Dib Dubchac 6' n Lint),
ip TTlunpeTnap, mac S^PPS^"^-

Ro pao Dib, ap in Cam caip,

Cechepn pip-5ap5, mac pinncain,
po pa t)ib, ba japb a n-jail,
Qmaipjm pijoa Reochait).

Ro pa Dib, — ba peppoi pin, —
pepjiip, mac Leioe luchmaip;
po pa oib, a n-am na cpeach,
CachbaiD, Conjal Claipingnech.

Society of Dublin. They were cousins-
german to the heroes Cuchullin and Co-
nall Cearnach,a80'Flanagan shows in that
work, pp. 24, 25.

y Sons of Conchobhar. — Clann cupaca

Concobaip ^L e. the sons of Conchobhar

Mac Ncssa, King of Ulster, who distin-
guished themselves in the war between Con-
naught and Ulster, in the first century, for
an account of which see Keating^s History
of Ireland, and the celebrated historical
tale called Tain Bo Cuailgne, of which the
most ancient copy now extant is preserved
in Leabhar na h-Uidhre, in the possession
of Messrs. Hodges and Smith, College-
green, Dublin.

O'Flaherty says (Ogygia, Part III. c
48) that this Conchobhar had above twenty-
one sons whose descendants are extinct
these many centuries. The nine most
distinguished of his sons are enumerated
in the following ancient verses, cited by

Duald Mac Firbis in his pedigrees of the
Clanna Rudhraighe :

niaicne*ConcoBaip an pij,
Ca h-UUcaib ba ihop a m-bplj ;
Ni piacc a n-upa n6 5-car
Nonbjp poDup pdpuijpeao;
Copmac ba Conluinjip lamn,
Pionncab, ^^aipnc, ip Conainj,
rPame, Cumpjpaio ba caom 511^,
piacha, Piachna, Pupbuioe.

" The sons of Conchobhar, the king,
Among the Ultonians great was their vigor ;
There never engaged in skirmish or battle
Nine who would subdue them :
Cormac Conluingis, the strong,
Fionnchadh, Glaisne, Conaing,
Maine, Cumsgraidh of fair countenance,
Fiacha, Fiachna, Furbuidhe."

* Dubhthach He was the celebrated

Dubhthach DaelUladh, one of Conchobhar
Mac Nessa's household. — It is stated in

209

Of them were likewise

The heroic sons of Conchobhar'^ ;
Of them was Dubhthach of Linn*
And Munremar, son of Grerrginn'.

Of them, on the Tain [cattle-spoil] in the east,
The truly fierce Cethem, son of Finntan^,
Of them was, — ^fierce his fight, —
The regal Amairgin Reochaidh^.

Of them was, — ^better for it, —

Fergus, son of Leide the supple** ;
Of them were, in times of plunders,
Cathbhaidh* and Congal Clairingnech^.

the Book of Lecan that the lands which
were his patrimonial inheritance were,
soon after his death, inundated by Lough
Neagh.

* Munremar, ¥m of Gerrginn, — TTIun-
pemap mac ^^pp^mo. — He was one of
the heroic chiefs of Ulster in the time of
Fergus.— See Book of Leinster,fol. 73, a, a,
where he is mentioned as one of the heroes
who claimed the honour of dissecting the
famous pig called Muc Datho, at a banquet
given by a Leinster chieftain.

^ Cethem^ son of Finntan, — Cecepn
mac pmncam. — He was one of the twelve
chiefs of Ulster in the time of Fergus. —
See Book of Leinster, foL 62, a, where he
is called the grandson of Niall Niamh-
glonnach of Dun da bheann. He is a very
conspicuous character in the very ancient
Irish Tale called Tain Bo CuaUgne, which
is the Tain referred to in the text. East
in this line alludes to Cuailgne, in the. east

IBISH ABCH. 80C. 6. 2

of Ireland, in the present county of Louth.

* Amairgin Beochaidh, — CCmaip^m Reo-
caiD. — He was the father of the famous
hero Conall Ceamach. His pedigree is
given by Mac Firbis, thus : — ** Amergin,
son of Cas, son of Fachtna, son of Caipe,
son of Cionga, son of Rudhraighe, the an-
cestor of the Clanna Rudhraighe.''

^FerguBy ton of Leide the supple. — pep-
2;uf mac Ceioe. — He was the grandson
of the monarch Rudhraighe, from whom
all the Clanna Rudhraighe are sprung. In
the Book of Leinster, foL 6^, b, b, he is
said to have resided at Line, now Moy-
linny, in the county of Antrim.

^ Caihbhadh, — Carbao, — L e. Cath-
bhadh, the druid, the father of Conchobhar
Mac Nessa, King of Ulster.

^ Congal Clairingnech was the son of
Rudhraighe Mor, and monarch of Ireland,
according to O'Flaherty's chronology,
about the year of the world 3889,

2IO

Ro pa Dib — an^bam m pamo, —

Ipial Uaicne, mac Conaill.

po pa Oib ac cup na cpep

CuThpcpaio> Copmac Conlom^ep.
UlaiO ac imoa a n-ecca,

a coycap nf coioecra

gup m niaipc pi pop niuij Rac,

6 t)o cuippec a ceD car,
Cac Racam, cac Ruip na pig,

car Duma beinne ip blao pfp,

cac Goaip, ann po h-anao,

cac pipbeooa pino-capao.
Cac ndp b' upupa o'dipim,

ic jaipij, ic loljaipgcci,

cac po bpip ap pluaj Semnc,

bpiplcc TTluigi niuipcemne.

Ceo

No acoonnt of this battle has yet been dis*
coverecL There are many places of the
name in Ireland, of which the most cele-
brated is Rathain, now Rahen, in the
King's County, about five miles westwards
of Tullamore, where Saint Carthach of
Lismore erected a church.

^ Battle of Ro9 na Bigh Cac Ruif

na pi^, — ^now Bossnaree, situated on the
River Boyne, near the village of Slane,
in the county of East Meath. This battle
was fought in the beginning of the first
century, between Conchobhar Mac Nessa,
Eling of Ulster, and Cairbre Nia Fear,
King of Tara, with his brother, Finn File,
King of Leinster. The Lagenians were
defeated. A short account of this battle is
preserved in the Book of Leinster, fol. 14a

s Irial Uaithney the son ofConalL — Ipial
Uairne mac Conaill. — He was generally
called Irial Glunmhar, and was King of
Emania, or Ulster, for forty years, and the
son of Conall Ceamach, one of the most
distinguished of the heroes of the Red
Branch. — See list of the Kings of Emania,
as taken from the Annals of Tighemach,
in Note C, at the end of this volume.

■* Cumhscraidh, — Cumpcpaio. — He was
one of the sons of Conchobhar Mac Nessa,
King of Ulster, and succeeded his father
as King of Ulster for three year& He was
slain in the year of Christ 37, according to
the Annals of Tighernach.

^ Cormac ConUnnges — He was the son
of Conchobhar Mac Nessa.

^ BattU of Mathain, — Cor Raram. —

21X

Of them was, — ^valiant his deeds,—

Irial Uaithne^, the son of Conall,

Of them in fighting the battles

Were Cumhscraidh^ and Cormac Conloinges*.
The Ultonians ! many their exploits,

Their triumphs were incomparable

To this Tuesday on Magh Rath,

Since they fought their first battle.
The battle of Bathain^ the battle of Ros na righ*,

The battle of Dumha Beinne* of true fame,

The battle of Edar"", where a delay was made,

The truly vigorous battle of Finn-charadh°.
A battle which was not easy to be described.

From shouts, — from various shouts, —

The battle in which the host of Semne** were defeated, —

The Breach of Magh Muirtheimhne**.

The

* Dumha Beinnej — i. e. the mound of King of Leinster, and his people, on the

Beinne. No account of this battle has other. In this battle Mesg^hra was slain

yet been discovered, nor is the situation by Conall Cearnach, who took out his

of the place certain. It is probable that brains and carried them off as a trophy,
this Dumha, or mound, was on the plain ^Batde of Finn-charadh. — Car pmnca-

of Magh Mucroimhe, near Athenry, in the pa6. — No account of this battle has yet

county of Gralway, where Beinne, the son been discovered, nor has the situation of

of the King of Britain, was slain, A. D. the place been determined
240. — See Ogygia, Part III. c 67. «> Hie hott o/Seimne, — Slua^ Seimne.

"* Edary now the Hill of Howth, in the — The Ultonians were sometimes so called

county of Dublin, not far from the city, by the bards, from the plain of Seimne,

The battle here referred to, — which was situated in the territory of Dal Araidhe,

caused by the exorbitant demands of the in the south of the present county of An-

poet Athaime from the people of Leinster, trim. — See Colgan, Trias Thaum. p. 183,

— ^was fought between the poet Athaime, n. 219.

Conall Cearnach, and Cethern Mac Fintain, ^ The Breach of Magh Muirtheimhne, —

on the Ultonian side, and Mesg^hra, 6pifUch TDui^e TDuipretihiie. — Magh

2 E2

212

Cct> la Concobaip o'a clainD,
ocuf Dep5-puarap Conaill,
o'a cue pepjup, — popum n-jlc,—
r\a cpi maela TTli6e.

Seer caca im Cairip Conpui,
ap^aiT) piamaiT), mic popui
ap^aiT) Conpui ba buan blao,
im pecc macaib Dec Oeabab.

Ni Ocpnnpac, ban-ecca ban,
plua^ Gmna, aipecc Ula6.
ace mao TT1u5ain, cpia na peipc,
ocup TTleob uarmap, oipocpc.

Noca

Muirthemlme was the ancient name of an
extensiye plain near Dundalk, in tbe pre-
sent county of Louth. The battle here
referred to was made the subject of an
Irish romantic tale, of which there are
many paper copies in the collection of
Messrs. Hodges and Smith, College-green,
Dublin,

^ Conchobhar gave hie sons. — Ceo la
Concobaip o'a cloinn. — The story is un*
known to the Editor.

^ Derg-ruaihar ChonaiU. — ^Deqpj-puac-
ap ChonaiU. — This b also the name of
an historical Irish Tale.

*MaelsqfMeath.'^Xy6i o-cucPepyup. —
The story to which this line refers is un-
known to the Editor.

* Cathair Conrui. — Caraip Conpui, —
L e. the caher or stone fort of Curoi Mac
DairL It is still the name of a mountain
situated about six miles S. W. of the town

of Tralee, in Kerry, near which Curoi Mac
Daire, Eling of the Deagads of Munster,
resided in the first century. In the Book
of Leinster, foL i6, a, 6, it is stated that
the Lecht or monument of Curoi is on Sliabh
Mis mountain, of which Caherconree is the
highest part. The Cam or sepulchral
pile of Curoi is still to be seen on the
north-east shoulder of this moimtain, but
his caher J or fort, has been long since
destroyed, though Dr. Smith, in his His-
tory of Kerry, states, that the ruins of it
were to be seen on the summit of the
mountain in his own time. But this is
utterly erroneous, for the feature called
Cither Conree on this moimtain is a natural
ledge of rocks.

** Fiamuiny eon ^ Faruu — piamum
mac popuk — It is stated in the Book of
Leinster, fol. i6, a, 6, that Fiamuin Mac
Forui was shun at Dun Binne, He was

The first day which Conchobhar gave his sons'",

And the Derg-ruathar Chonaill',

In which Fergus, — ^noble the deed, —

Took the three Maels of Meath*.
Seven battles around Cathair Conrui\

The plundering of Fiamuin, son of Forui",

The plundering of Curoi, — ^lasting the renown, —

With the seventeen sons of Deaghaidh.
The host of Emania"", the host of Ulster,

Have never committed woman-slaughter'',

Excepting in the case o/'Mughain, through love of her,

And the hateful, but illustrious Medhbh.

a Monster chieftain, and ootemporary
with Curoi Mac DairL The Death of
Fiamuin formed a distinct story. — See
Preface.

^ The hast qfJSmania, — 8lua5 Gaiiina
— ^The ancient Ultonians, or Clanna Rudh-
raighe, are so called from Eamhain Macha,
the name of their ancient palace, which was
built by Cimbaeth 309 years before the
birth of Christ, and in which thirty-one of
their kings resided. It was destroyed by the
three CoUas, the grandsons of King Cairbre
liffeachair, in the year 332, according to
the Annals of Tighemach. — See list of
the kings of Emania at the end of this
volume. Its remains are still to be seen
about two miles to the west of the town
of Armagh, and are, without a single ex-
ception, the most extensive of their kind
in all Ireland. It was described by Col-
gan as follows in 1647: ^'Emania prope

Ardmacham, nunc fossis latis, vestigiis
murorum eminentibus et ruderibus pristi-
num reddens splendorem." — Triai Thaum,
p. 6. — See Note on Craobh Ruadh, infra,
^Have never eammitted woman-slaughter.
— Hi oepnpac ban-ecca ban, — L e. they
never disgraced themselves by slaying
women, except in two instances, namely,
in that of Mughain, who was slain through
jealousy, and that of Meave, Queen of
Connaught, who was slain by her own
sister's son, Furbuidhe, son of Conchobhar
Mac Nessa, on Inis Cloithrinn, in Lough
Bee, in the Shannon, to take revenge for
the assistance she had rendered Fergus,
the dethroned king of Ulster, in making
war on the latter province. — See Ordnance
Map of Inis Cloghran, which is now vul-
garly called Quaker's Island, on which the
spot where Meave was slain is shown, un-
der the name of Inad marbhtha Medhbha^

214

Nbca n-aipem cen bam bco,
ecca Ulao o Qch Go.
Q ]n j Cine ip lepba mm,
a bile Gmna epig.

epij a.

Ip ano fiT) |io ep^cap oll-caca Ula6 ocup allmapac co picoa,
paebpac, popniaca, co h-apmoa, ocup co h-aijbeil, ocup co anpaca,
pa comapcaib cpooa comepji cac-bpopcuoaca Conjail ; ace jep
bo h-dipem, ocup gep ba ainmniujao aen fluai^ ocup acn-plomnci
ap na od cach-pocpaioi cpooa, comcenna Conjail, poppac pame
plomnci ocup puioijci cac oej-pluaj, ocup cac Oej-pocpaiDi oib-
pein ap cumupc ocup ap comepji caic pa leic ap lacaip Do'n Uxec-
paio pin ; ocup ba h-amlam po epij cac paep-pluaj poceneoil acu
ip m uaip pm, .i. cac aipecc ap n-iaouo pa'n aipD-pij, ocup cac
cinol ap cimpujuo pa ci^epna. Ocup ba h-eao mpo Oeicbip ocup
oeiliujao caca oej-pocpaioi Oib-pein, icip mnell ocup opoujuo,
icip copcut) ocup copujao caca, poppar pain ocup poppac puaic-
nio 6 each ap ceana. pdl-aipbi peppoa, pip-oluich, paebap-cle-
pach Ppanjc ap n-epgi co h-anpaca ma each ocup ina cpo cobpaio,
cenjailci, clic-popcaoac cupat), pa Daipbpe, mac n-Dopnmaip,
plaic pcm pleomap, popmaca, pac-comaiplec Ppanjc. Ocup Dm
gep b'e pluaj puncach, paeb-cpaioec, ppoll-meipgec, pluaj-aipbep-
cach Saxan, ba h-dgmap a n-mnell, ma coppcaip claioem ocup
co]ip-plea5, ocup cac-pciac, pa 5^r^> ^^^. Rojaipb, pij pem peic-
pech, poinemail, pluaj-nepc-lfnmap Saxan. Ocup j^p b'c pluaj
bopppaoac, bdjach, bpeac-meipjeac, bdpc-libepnac bpecan, ba
pej»mac a peol pein ma m-bpom bpocla, biapcaigi, 6pecnaip-bep-

laij,

* prop of Emania arise The last Qp loo, cap linn, ip lepoa neim,

quatrain of this poem is very different in Q occa Gnina epii.

the paper copy, thus : ^ The mighty hatUdions, The Irish word

215

I could not enumerate, during my life,

The exploits of the Ultonians of Ath eo.
O triTig of Line of most distinguished valour,

prop of Emania arise* !

Arise," &c.

Then rose the mighty battalions^ of the Ultonians and foreigners
vehemently, fiercely, valiantly, well-armed, terribly and heroically at
the warlike and exciting exhortations of Congal; and though the two
brave and powerful armies of Congal were reckoned and called one
army and one name, still various were the surnames and situations of
each goodly host and goodly band, when each party of these warriors
rose up separately on the plain; and the manner in which each of the
freebom noble hosts rose out at that time was this, viz., each host
closed round its arch-king, and each company collected around its
lord. And this was the difference and distinction between every
goodly host of them both as regards order and arrangement, position
and array of battle. The manly, close, sword-dexterous battalion of
the Franks was different and distinguishable from all the rest, having
risen out vigorously in a strong, close, and sheltering battalion and
phalanx of champions under Dairbre, the son of Dommhar', the fes-
tive, heroic, and wisely-counselling king of the Franks. And as to the
active, vain-hearted, satin-bannered, heroic-deeded host of the Saxons,
warlike was their array with a border of swords, spears, and shields,
under Garbh, the son of Rogarbh, the robust prosperous king of
Saxonland, of the strong and numerous forces. As to the warlike,
speckled-ensigned, ship-possessing army of Britain, firm was their

array

ccir, which makes coca in the plural, ge- be considered a fictitious character, unless

nerally signifies a battle, but it is some- we suppose Dairbre to have been the Irish

times used, as in the present instance, to mode of writing Dagobert, which was the

denote a battalion. name of the king of France when this

> Dairbre^ ton ofDommhar. — This must battle was fought

2l6

laij, booba, pa Conan Poo, mac Gachach Qingcip , ocuf pa Dad,
mac Caili Dpuao, co n-a cpi macaib, .1. Reip, ocup Ul ocup Qpcup
a n-anmanna. Ocup om p6p, 5ep b'c og-pluaj apnaio-ecclmmap,
ccpocap Cdban, ba pdp-oluic a puioiugao ma cappai^ ceipc, com-
aipo pa ceicpi macaib Gachach buioi, .i. Qeo m GppiD Uamc,
ocup Suibne, ocup Conjal TTleno, ocup Domnall 6pcc. Ocup 5ep
b'lac popnc ocup popjlaiji peppoa, pomdpoa, pepj-ouaibpeca
pmnjall, ba h-allmapoa a n-mnell pein ma leibcnn luipcch, ocup
laijne, ocup lebap-pciach, pd Glaip n-Depj, mac n-Dolaip, plaic
popcamail pinojall.

Oil clanna h-lp, mic TTlileo, impaicep asaino ap a aicli-pem :
ba mm cac meipnec, ocup ba cldic cac cea^ap, ocup ba cennaip
cac copu^ao, m aicpe^at) mmll ocup ecoipc aoaijche meppoa, mi-
t>ach6a, mop-oamjen na mileD boi acu pa Gonial Clacr), mac
Scannlam Sciac-lecam, aipo-pig uaibpec, allaca, oll-cecpanach
Ulao. 5^P ^i5P^T ^^^^ opem, ocup gep cpooa, cac cmco, ocup
jep comlan cac copugao, po b'lac pig-clanna peoi, puirenoa, pij-
bperaca Ruopaiji ba h-uilliu, ocup ba h-aiobli, ocup ba h-opcapoa
mnell; ba cpumne, ocup ba cpooa, ocup ba cobpaiji copu5aO; ba
oluici, ocup ba oainjne, ocup ba Duaibpi^e Deipeo ; ba glamc,
ocup ba jepi, ocup ba safbcije cimpa, ocup cac-imli ; ba rpcpi,
ocu]^ ba nge, ocup ba cpenlcci copac ; ba pomnme, ocup ba pan-
caiji 1x11510 ; ba h-ellma, ocup ba h-epcaioi aijneo, o'lappaio na
h-impepna, ocup 00 copnum na carh-lairpec pe clannaib CumO.

CmnipConjal ceim 6 na cupaoaib coCnocdn m copcaip, .1. die
ap cpaioeo, ocup ap commafoeao copcap Conjail, ap na poobu5ao
o' pepaib Gpenn. Ocup po mora a ajaib ap Ullcaib ocup ap
allmapacaib, ocup po jab 5a piaonu^ao oppo a ofjcnn booem pc

Domnall

* Bcux qfConn^ — L e. the descendants ** 7%« kUlock of the victory. — Cnoc6n an
of Conn of the Hundred Battles. copcaip. — This name is now forgotten*

217

array in a fiery, wounding, Welsh-speaking, majestic phalanx, under
Conan Rod, the son of Eochaidh Aingces, and under Dael, the son
of Caili Druadh, with his three sons named Reis, Ul, and Arthur.
And as to the cruel, many-deeded, merciless young host of Alba,
very close was their array as an even high rock, under the four sons
of Eochaidh Buidhe, viz., Aedh of the Green Dress, Suibhne, Congal
Menu, and Domhnall Brec. And as to the select, manly, Fomorian-
like, and furious troops of the Finngalls, strange was their array in
a bulwark of armour, spears, and broad shields, under Elar Derg, the
son of Dolar, the valiant prince of Fingall.

After these we have to mention the great descendants of Ir, the
son of Milesius : tame was all courage, feeble all defence, and mild
every array, in comparison with the fiery, lively, great, and firm
array and complexion of the heroes who were around Congal Claen,
the son of Scannlan of the Broad Shield, the haughty, famous, in-
telligent arch-king of Ulster. And though every party was dili-
gent, though every tribe was brave, though every equipment was
complete, the ready, resplendent, kingly-judging descendants of Rudh-
ndghe were the most numerous, prodigious, and warlike in array ;
the most compact, the bravest, and the stoutest in order ; the closest,
the firmest, and the most terrible in the rear;, the straightest, the
sharpest, and the most terrible in the borders and flanks; the strongest,
the closest, and the mightiest in the front ; the most successful and
sanguine in the onset, and the most prepared and most ardent-minded
in longing for the conflict, to maintain the field against the race of
Conn^.

Congal stepped aside from the warriors to Cnocan an choscair
[the hillock of the slaughter*], afterwards so called as being the place
where Congal was overcome and triumphed over, when he was cut
down by the men of Erin ; and he turned his face upon the TJltonians
and foreigners, and proceeded to prove to them the cause of his own
iBisH ABcu. Boc. 6. 2 F eumity

2l8

Domnall ocup a Domun oo Dicennao do clannaib Cuino Ceocacaij^
.1. a cuijco jar) cennac ap na Deaoail pc Dcpb-pine, munn pon
ocup Gmain gan Ullcac, ocup m Cpaeb RuaD jan cupaiD oo clann-
aib Ruopai^i '5a po-aicpeib, ocup apbepc na bpiarpa pa ann :

CmniO ceim co cach-lacaip,

a Ullcu 'pa allinapcu,

Inopaijio h-ua h-Qmnnpcc,

airio aip bap n-epanoip.
Diglaij ino Deipc n-ofpaoaipc^

ap in cpiac pom' cogaib-pea,

6epiD baipe bpac-mepOa,

1 comoail na cuijeoac.
Copnaio Cuijeo Concobaip,

pe clannaib Cumo Ceo-cacaij,

* Crofhh Btiodh, — CpaeB Ruao, now
anglicised Creeveroe; it is the name of a
townland situated near the River Callan,
not far from Emania. — See Stuart's. His-
tory of Armagh, p. 578, and Ordnance
Map of the Parish of Armagh, on which
the site of the house of Creeveroe is shown.

Keating writes as follows of the palace
of Emania, as it stood in the time of Con-
chobhar Mac Nessa and the heroes of the
Red Branch :

** Cpi h-6puixx lomoppa 00 Bl a n-6a-
ihain niaca pe linn ChoncoBaip, map
aca, 6poinl>eoqi3, CpaoBoeap^ ^^P
CpaoBpuao. 'S an c^an 615 00 Bmfp a
n-oraip; &c. Qn oapa ceach, o'a n-^ip-
ri6e CpaoBoeap^, ip ann Biofp na h-aipm
ajuf na peoioe uaifle^ a ^-coiiii^ao;

ayip an qieap ceac o'a n-^oipri6e an
ChpaoBpuuo, ip ann do piapraioe e p^in
map aon le Ifon a laocpao."

Thus translated by Dr. John Lynch,
author of Cambrensis Eversus, in his MS-
translation of Keating : — " Palatium CJon-
chauri, Emon Machanum, in tria potissi-
miim domicilia distributum erat, Nosooo-
mium, Hibernice Bronbhearg, armamen-
tarium vulg5 Craobhdhearg, quod arma et
instrumentum omne bellicum, et pretiosa
queeque Conchauri cime.lia continebat; et
triclinium, Craobhruadh appellatum, ubi
cibus illi suisque apponebantut, quod
etiam ejus hospitalis locus erat et exedra,
cum sibi solitus esset advenas quosque

excipere.'

These great houses, so famous in story as

219

enmity to Domhnall, and how his kingdom was decapitated by the
descendants of Conn, that is, how his province was left without a chief
or head, having been taken from his tribe, which left Emania without
an Ultonian, and Craebh Ruadh* without a champion of the race of
Budhraighe ; and he said these words there :

"Advance to the battle field,

Ye Ultonians and foreigners.

Attack the grandson of Ainmire,

Revenge on him your insults.
Revenge ye my sightless eye

On the prince who fostered me ;

Make a watchful, quick advance

Towards the provincialists.

Contest the province of Conchobar [i. e. of Ulster]

With the sons of Hundred-battled Conn,

From

the chief seats of the ancient Ultonians, or
Clanna Rudhraighe, in can ba po pip UlU
caij, when in the meridian of their power,
splendor, and glory, were in ruins in the
time of Congal, and the land on which they
were situated was in the possession of the
Clann Colla, or Oirghialla. Dr. Stuart, in
his History of Armagh, speaks of the ruins
of these buildings as foUows : — ** The site
of these ancient edifices can be nearly as-
certained at this present hour. There is
a townland near the Navan hill, westward
of Armagh, which is yet denominated
Creeve Boe^ a name which, in the English
letters, expresses the very sound desig-
nated in the Irish characters by the word
Craobk Biuidh^ the red branch. The uni-
form tradition of the country assigns this

2F2

district of Creeve Roe as the place where
the regal palace stood. There is, in an ad-
joining townland called Trea, a mound
which, in form, resembles this figure i— i,
and is universally denominated ih^ King's
Stables, Navan hill" [which is the Angli-
cised form of cnoc na h-6anina] " over-
looks the lands of Craobh Euadh. Around
this hill, betwixt the base and the summit,
there is an elliptical fosse and moat, inclu-
ding eleven acres, three roods, and thirty-
six perches, by which two smaller circular
mounds or forts (one on the top and the
other on the side of the hill) are environed.
These had probably been formed to protect
the royal residence." — Hist. Armagh^ pp.

578. 579-

220

Inobep cdio caem Colpca,
CO Dpobafp, CO Dubpocaip.

ba h-epn bap fen cui5eD,

1 pcrmuf bap pij-pmnpep,
m can ba p6 pip Ullrai^,
bap cpich-pi nip cuimpijeo,
pe pebup bap pip-laec-pi.

Copmac, CupcpaiD, Concobap,

pepgup, piaca, pupbaioi,

pmncat), Pepjna, pepaoach,

Gogan, Gppji, Qmaipjin.
TTlenn, TTlame, ocup TTlunpemap,

Laijpec Lannmap, Caejaipe,

Celccaip, Conall Compamac,

Ceichepn, Cii na caem-ceapoa,

Cacbait), Conjal Claipingnec.
Naipi CO n-a nepr-bpaicpib,

Qenjup, Ipial oponiji,

Q5 pin ofne Dcj-Ullcac,

ndp pfneo, nap papaigeo,

Rubpaijec pe peime-pnin.
TTlaips po gem &r\ gappaioi pm,

gan airpip a n-engnuma ;

niaip5

^ To Drobhaois and Duhhrothair. — O which Hows out of Lough Melvin and falls

InBep Colpca, co DpoBafp, co t)ul>- into the Bay of Donegal at Bundrowis.

poraip—According to all the old Irish The river here called DuhhrRothairy i. e.

MSS. which treat of the ancient division the Black River, is that now called the

of the provinces, Ulster comprised the en- River Ihd>h^ or Duff, which falls into the

tire of the present county of Louth, and same bay at Bunduff. Keating says,
extended from Inbher Colptha, the mouth " Coiye UUxo o OpoBaoip 50 h-1nBep

of the Boyne, to the River Drobhaois, Colpca." — Or as L)mch renders it, " A

:221

From the fair beauteous Inbher Colptha
To Drobhaois and Dubhrothair^.

That was the extent q/'your old province
In the time of your royal ancestors,
When the Ultonians were truly great,
Your country was not circumscribed,
From the goodness of your true heroes.

Cormac, Cuscraidh, Conchobhar*^,
Fergus, Fiacha, Furbaidhi,
Finnchadh, Fergna, Feradhach,
Eoghan, Errgi, Amairgin.

Menu, Maine, and Muinremar,

Laighsech, Lannmhor, La^ghaire,
Celtchair, Victorious Conall,
Cethem, Cu na Cerda [i. e. Cuchullin]
Cathbhaidh, Congal Clairingnech.

Naisi with his mighty brothers,
Aengus, Irial the renowned,
There is a race of good Ultonians,
Who were not prostrated, who were not overcome,
Nor was one Rudrician in their time.

Alas for him who sprung from that tribe.
Who does not imitate their valour,

Alas

Drovisa ad fluvium Colptam extenditur" and the champions of the Red Branch, and

[sc. Ultonia]. have been all mentioned in former notes

^ Cormae, Cuscraidh, Conchobhar. — Cop- except Laigsech Lannmor. He was the

mac, Cufcpaio, Concobap, &c. — This son of the hero Conall Cearnach, already

is a recapitulation of the names of the often referred to, and ancestor of the seven

most distinguished heroes of Ulster. The septs of Laoighis or Leix, in the Queen's

most of them were cotemporary with County, of whom the CyMotes were the

Conchobhar Mac Nessa, King of Ulster^ most distinguished.

222

maipj Dan' cpich a cuijeo-p un,

gan cuailnjiuf a cuppacca ;

jan coTTi-cpiall a copnuma,

ppi h-eaccpannaib aicpebup.
Cpic comlan jac cuiceoach,

jan upepbaio acu-pum,

ca cpich ace ap cuiceD-ne

nac h-e a pij 'p a pacmap cpiac,

opoaijiup CO h-aencaoac,

caipi5 ap a cpen cuacaib,

bpujaio ap a baileoaib,

irnc pig 05 a po coimeo,

ace pmne, pil Ruopaije ?
Conall, Gojan, Qipjialla,

popjabpac ap pepanna,

gup ob cucu in cacpeim-pi,

t>'a cup ap ap cmo.

Cint)it> c. c.

Qp comepji na cac-buiDen cpooa, cenjailci, copp-oecla cupan
pin, po mnpaigeaoap in Da oll-bpoinig aiobli, uaibpeaca, ep-iona,
agaipcecha, anpalaiD pin, co h-aen maigm ina pperh-popnib pomn-
nie, pocla, pluag-mepa, puiOijtn, pap-laec ; ocup ina n-jpmneoaib
gepa, jaibceca, jpeim-Decla, jpoo-neimneca gaipceO; ocup ina
laemannaib lerna, luac-mepa, leiomeca, lebap-copnumac laicpech;
ocup ina n-olumaib Oicpa, Oeppcaigri, Deinmeca, ooppeagaprq
oebta ; ocup ina cipeoaib cpuaioi, coDnacba, cpaf&emla, cnep-
cengailci caca, co cpi oelg-oaingnib oluici, Dijpaipi, Dpeach-ouaib-
peca, Oicojlaiji Debca, ap n-a n-oeilb, ocup ap n-a n-oingi, ocup
ap n-a n-olucugao, map ip pepp, ocup ip dgmaipe, ocup ip aigbeli
]io peoaoap a n-aipig, ocup a n-apD-maici do leich pop leich, •!.

clech

223

Alas for him whose country is their province,

Not to aspire to their valiant deeds,

Not to attempt its defence

Against the adventurers who inhabit it.
The entire country of all the provincialists

They possess without diminution ;

What country is there but our province

In which its own king and prosperous chief

Does not appoint with full consent

Toparchs over mighty territories,

And brughaidhs [i. q. farmers] over townlands,

The sons of kings guarding them,

But ours of the race of Rudhraighe ?
The races of Conall and Eoghan, and the Airghialla,

Have seized on our lands,

And against them we make this onset.

To drive them from over us.

Advance," &c.

These brave, connected, impetuous bands of heroes having risen
out, marched to one place in two prodigious, proud, compact, wicked,
revengeful, malicious divisions, in well-looking, arrogant, swift, well-
arranged lines of great heroes ; in sharp, terrible, haughty, venomous
phalanxes of valour ; in broad, rapid, furious, wide-defending flames
of the battle field; in zealous, distinguished, rapid, unopposable
crowds of contest ; and in hard, princelike, courageous, connected
Unes of battle, with three ardent, terrible-faced, impregnable, bristling
bulwarks of battle formed, condensed, and consohdated, as well, as
fonnidably, and as terribly as their chiefs and arch-nobles were able
respectively to arrange them ; with their hard, smooth-handled, well-
made, warlike forest of ice-like, shining, blood-red, beacon-like, lucky

spears

224

clech cailln, cpuaioi, cpann-peoi, copaijci, cupara caca, t)o ple-
gaib peacoa, poijnenca, ppub-puaoa, peol-comapcaca, penca,
ponipu caca po-ofpge pa mepjib, ocup pa m-bpacachaib blaici,
bpeiD-jela, bopo-nufoi, bpec-Oacaca, baoba ; ocup clap-pceimelca
cengailn, com-oluca, com-apoa, cpaeb-oacaca, cac-pcmc ap a
cul-pem 1 comnaioi ; ocup pal-cipeaoa peiji, pocaijri, ocup puipigri
caca peOTTia, Do cacup ocup oo ciTnpujaD luipech cpom, cojaiDi,
caeb-cpebpaio, cac-lom-cpuaio, ceaccaigri cpeapa, ocup caip-
benca copaig cpom jliao, ap n-a ppecat), ocup ap n-a pluaij-Oig-
laim oo jleipe jaiclennac ocup jaljac, ocup Do compaisnib cupat)
ocup cac-milet) ; ocup cac-gappba copaigri Do cupaDaib cenjailci
ic Doipppeopachc caca Daingm, ocup caca DluTn-jpinne Duaibpig,
Dep-apTn-paebpaig Deabca Dib-pem ; ap mp pupail ppaec peppDa,
pocaigci, pdl-apmDa piD-paebpac, pip-Dluic Deg-apm, ocup Dej-lacc,
ocup De^-Dafne a cec gpmne jaca caca ceccapDa pe copcuD ocup
pe cuppucaD a cell.

ba h-iTTiDa, am, acu-pum eapp 65, ajmap, aiDlennca, apm-ir)-
nillci, jan pilliuD, ocup miDach Tneap-TnaiDinec, lYidl-puaicnio,
TDepcndici mop-cpepa jan mfniujaD; ocup leaccanach laiDip,
lonn-mep, lainDec, laec-leDaipci luipg, gan locpugaD; ocup cac-
cuin^in comnipc, cenn-apD, clep-apmac cocaijci comlamD, ^an
cumpcujaD ; ocup pig-miliD pcccmap, puicenca, penD-jaibcec,
popc-picDa, po-blaDac, gan popacc, ap ci cpeapa Do cennaD ocup
Do cpen-puapaic, co pocal, poldmai^, m aicill a peDma D'pulanj,
ocup D'pocugaD, ocup D'uncon^bail, co ppaecDa, popmaca, ap
lom-ci a lama, ocuy* a lann-claiDem Do lan-Dep5aD, co luac-mep,
lan-apnaiD, ap lacaip m laice pm.

CiD cpacc, in can poppac caipjpeca cpomgliaD a cpen-pip,
ocup poppac apmDa, mnillci, oU-cecpaDac a n-dnpaiD, ocup poppac
ppaecDa, pepgaca, popmaca, ppe^apcaca a penniD, ocup poppac
poinnme,puncaca,puiDi5chi a pluag-poipne copaijn caca,puc|^cap

puacap

225

spears straight before them, bearing their flowered, white cloth, new-
bordered, parti-coloured banners and ensigns ; and lofty breast-works
of well-secured, well-pressed, variegated battle shields permanently
placed behind them ; and a firm rampart to sustain and arrest every
assault, brought together and collected of heavy, well-chosen, bare-
sided, tightly-braced, hard loricae to receive an assault, and exhibit
the front of a heavy conflict, arranged and selected by the elite of
warriors and heroes, and of triumphant soldiers and champions, and
a battle guard arranged of equipped champions, door-keeping every
fastness, and every formidable, ready, sharp-armed, battling phalanx
of them ; because it was indispensable to have a sustaining, compact,
furious rampart composed of good men and good heroes with choice
weapons, in the first rank of each of the two divisions to resist and
withstand the enemy.

Among them was many a youthful, valorous, aspiring, well-armed
hero without treachery; many a swift-triumphant, nobly-dressed,
rapid-wounding, great-battled warrior untamed ; many a strong, ro-
bust, vigorous, hero-slaughtering champion unchecked ; many a ro-
bust, high-headed, at-weapon-dexterous, and battle-maintaining sol-
dier unappalled ; many a royal, rightful, magnificent, spear-terrible,
fierce-eyed, very renowned leader indomitable, who was about to
support, sustain, and keep up his exertion fiercely and valiantly, and
ready to redden his hand and his sword rapidly and cruelly on that
day.

At length, when the mighty men were ready for the heavy con-
test, when the warriors were armed, arrayed, excited ; when their
heroes were furious, angry, valiant, ready to meet every challenge ;
and when the battalions were ready, active, arranged, and arrayed,
they made a royal, legal, spear-terrible, furious rush, and a hard, firm,
vigorous onset, without mercy, without consideration, against each
IRISH ARCH. soc. 6. 2 G Other

226

puacap pigoa, peccmap, penn-gaibrech, puacap-bopb, ocup cacpeini
cpuaiOy cobpaio, com-oicpa cupao, jan caijill, jan compesao, i ccp-
caijio a cell ; jup cpicnaijpec m clap caeb-cpom, cnep aigaigrech,
cpiaoaiji, pa co]»aib^ ap cumupc ocup ap comoopcao na cac-laem
cupaca copaijri ap cepc-lap cpano-lTluiji Comaip, ppipi a paicep
ITla^ puat^-bnnrec Rach. Ocup aj Oian-ai'gnarh Do na Dup-plogaib
oapaccaca oo cum Dorhnaill ac bepc an laom :

Upen ceaccaic cara Conjail

cu^ainn cap an an Opnairh ;

map ceasaic i t)-cpeap na b-peap

ni peccaic a leap a laoibeab.
CoTfiapra an map mip ITlacha,

ppol puaicne ponnaib caca,

meipje jac pfj peil co pac

op a cint) pern 50 piabnac.

^ This jpoem, wHch is wanting in the
vellum copy, is supplied from Mac Moris-
sy's paper copy, in the collection of Messrs.
Hodges and Smith. The fourth quatrain
of it has been quoted by Keating, in his
notice of the Battle of Magh Rath, in the
reign of Domhnall, grandson of Ainmire,
and through his work it became well known
to the Irish scholars of the last two centu-
ries. A corrupt imitation of this quatrain
was inscribed on a modem tomb-stone,
dated 1764, in the abbey church of Multi-
feman, in the county of Westmeath, where
an enthusiastic Irishman mistook it for the
epitaph on the tomb of Conchobhar Mac
Nessa, who was king of Ulster in the be-
ginning of the first century. As such it

TTleipse

was sent to the poet Moore, who has given
s/ac simile of it in the folio edition of his
Irish Melodies, p. 84, with the following
note :

" The inscription upon Connor's tomb
(for the/ac simile of which I am indebted
to Mr. Murphy, chaplain of the late Lady
Moira) has not, I believe, been noticed by
any antiquarian or traveller."

It is strange that our great bard should
have received this quatrain as an epitaph
on Conchobhar Mac Nessa, who died in
the beginning of the first century, as if
that king could have been buried in the
abbey church of Multifeman, which was
founded by William Delamar, an English-
man, in the year 1236. And it is still

227

other, so that they shook the heavy-sodded, clayey-surfaced plain under
their feet, after the commingling and mutual rushing together of the
hero-arrayed, fiery battalions on the very middle of the wooded Magh
Comair, which is now called the red-pooled Magh Rath. When these
stubborn, impetuous forces of Congal were vehemently advancing
on Domhnall he repeated this poem^ :

" Mightily advance the battalions of Congal
To us over the ford of Omamh,
When they come to the contest of the men,
They require not to be harangued.
The token of the great warrior of Macha,
Variegated satin, on warlike poles.
The banner of each bright king with prosperity
Over his own head conspicuously displayed.

The

more extraordinary that the date and
English part of the epitaph on this tomb
should have been concealed, for had the
whole been given, its true character could
never have been mistaken. It may be
well, therefore, lest ihe /ae simile pub-
lished bj Mr. Moore should descend to
posterity as the epitaph of Conor Mac
Nessa, to transcribe here the entire inscrip-
tion:

" HOC TEOITUB 8AZO D0MINU8 PIETATS BE-
PULOEN8 JACOBUS OAYKOBUS PBOGKATUS STEM-
MATE CLABO.

" PBAY FOB THE SOUL OP JAMES GATMOB,
OP LEANT, WHO DIED JAMUABT 15TH, 1764,
AGED 66 TEABS, ALSO FOB BIS ANCESTOBS AND

POSTEBITY.

After which follow in Irish the words

of which Moore has given a/oc simile :
** 6eoihan buioe ap fpol uaicne
TTleipje ciip na Cpaoibe Ruaioe
Q pe DO biOD aj ConcoBap 'pa ccar
Qpiop cuapjain'pa oibeipcQUihupac."
Mr. Moore of course never saw this
tombstone, and his correspondent, Mr.
Murphy, seems to have been a bad judge
of the antiquity of Irish inscriptions. The
publication of monuments of this kind, as
if of remote date, has brought our anti-
quities into contempt among the learned,
but it may be hoped that better times are
now coming, and that the antiquarians of
Ireland will in future study our monu-
ments better than to lay before the public
an inscription of the latter part of the
eighteentii, for one of the first century.

228

nieipje Sgannlain, — pgiarh co n-aj,-
ip piacna rhoip, rrnc 6aeoain,
mop la coec pojla oia pmn,
aca op cmo Congail cugomn.

Leoman buibe i ppol uaine»
corhapoa na Cpaob Ruaibe
map oo baoi 05 Concobap cam,
aca 05 Conjal o'a Consmail.

TTleipseba maicne Gacoac
1 o-copac na pluaj ppeacac
meipgeoa oonna map bmj
op cpanna coppa Cpumchainn.

TTleipge pig bpeacan bpijmip
Conan Roc, an pfj-milib,
ppol peant)ac, 50pm ip geal,
CO h-eangac ap na amlab.

TTleipse R15 Saxon na ploj
ap bpacac leacan, Ian-mop,
buibe ip oeapcc, co paibbip pom;
op cmo Daipbpe, mic Dopnmoip.

TTleipje Ri peapjna peabail,
noca paca a lonnpamail
op a cmt), nf cealg 50 n-geib,
oub ajup oeap5 co oeimm.

nrieipse

^ The banner of Scannlan TTleipje ' Such as the noUe Conehobhar bore

S^nnlam, &c — See pedigree of Congal, TTlap 00 Baoi 05 ConcoBap caio. — He

at the end ofthe volume, from which it will was Conehobhar Mac Nessa, King ofUl-

appear that this Scannlan, Fiachna, and ster, already mentioned in Note >, p. 226.

Baedan were the father, grandfather, and Dr. John Lynch, in his Latin version

great grandfather of Congal. of Keating^s History of Ireland, gives the

229

The banner of Scannlan*, — an ornament with prosperity, —

And of Fiachna Mor, the son of Baedan,

Great symbol of plunder floating from its staff,

Is over the head of Congal advancing towards us.
A yellow Lion on green satin,

The insignia of the Craebh Ruadh,

Such as the noble Conchobhar bore*,

Is now held up by Congal.
The standards of the sons of Eochaidh^

In the front of the embattled hosts

Are dmx-coloured standards like fire

Over the well-shaped spear-handles of Crumthann.
The standard of the vigorous King of Britain,

Conan Rod, the royal soldier.

Streaked satin, blue and white.

In folds displayed.
The standard of the king of Saxonland of hosts

Is a wide, very great standard ;

Yellow and red, richly displayed

Over the head of Dairbhre, son of Dommor.
The standard of the majestic king of Feabhail"

(I have not seen such another)

Is over his head (no treachery does he carry with him),

Black and red certainly.

The

following translation of this quatrain : TTleipjeDa maicne Gacoac, — L e. either

" Gesseret in viridi flarum bombics leonem of the race of Eochaidh Cobha, the father

Crebroa progenies, Conchauri symbola of Cninn Badhraighe, who was Kong of

clari Ulster for twenty- two years, or of the sons

Congallus quae nunc signis intexta viden- of Eochaidh Buidhe, King of Scotland.

tur/' * Kinff of Feabhail—oi Foyle, that is,

i The standards of t/ie sons 0/ Eochaidh. — of Ailech.

230

TTleipse Suibne, beapc bume
Ri oipbepc Dal Qpaibe,
Spol buf&e, op f cirii-peap na ploj,
bumne mep-jeal na meabon.

TTleipje peapoorhan na b-plea6,
Rij aipm-oep5 Qipo Ulao,
Spol jle-jeal pe jpcm 'p pe jaoir
op an cpen-pcap jan cacaoip.

Cpen, &c.

Imchupa Suibne, mic Colmain Chuaip, mic Cobcaij, pig Dal
n-Qpai6i, impaioep a^amo pe heao eli. Cancacap paennella
pualaing paipme pe jpain, ocup pe spuamoacc, ocup pe 5po-OTnipe
na n-^aeoal; pe oepcaD, ocup pe oellpat), ocup pe Duaibpije na
n-oanap; pe blopcao, ocup pe bopb-gaip, ocup pe biiippeoaij na
cac-cmeo concpapoa, ceccapoa, ic poccam ocup ic pecc-innpaijio
apaile. Ro epjioap eaoap-luaimnig aiobb, anpopupoa, uarbapacha
aeoip, copabat)ap ma cuaineabap conncpacca, cumaipc, 'jd com-
buaiDpeD; ocup ma capmanaib cpoma, caiobpecha, cdpc-labapca,
cuaicbil, jan caipipium; ocup ma paeb-pluajaib pomnme, piralca,
pianjoipri, peacpanaca, piabaipci, ap pfp-piubal, ic paeiDib, ocup ic
peao-jaipi, ocup ic poluaimmj impu, ap cac aipD, 00 meach ocup
Do nn-cuTnt)ac miolach ocup Tnaecogldc, Do cennaD ocup do rpen-
Spepacc cupaD ocup cacrmleaD; gup ob Do conjaip m cara, ocup
pe h-abaipib na n-appachc, ocup pe capmanjail na cpom-jon ic
coipmum ap cupaiD-pennaibcpaipech ocup ap colj-Depaib claiDem
ocup ap laechbilib lebap-pciac. Ro ImaD ocup po luac-meaDpaD
m paep mileD Suibne Do cpir ocup Do jjpain ocup Do jeniDechc;

d'oiUc

' Ard Uladh, in Latin, AUitudo Ulio- Down, lying principally between Strang-
rwwi, now tbe Ards, in the county of ford Lough and the sea.

231

The standard of Suibhne, a yellow banner,
The renowned kmg of Dal Araidhe,
Yellow satin, over that mild man of hosts,
The white-fingered stripling himself in the middle of them.

The standard of Ferdoman of banquets,

The red-weaponed king of the Ards of Ulster^
White satin to the sun and wind displayed"
Over that mighty man without blemish.

Mightily," &c.

With respect to Suibhne, the son of Colman Guar, son of Cobh-
thach, king of Dal Amdhe, we shall treat of him for another while.
Fits of giddiness came over him at the sight of the horrors, grim-
ness, and rapidity of the Gaels; at the looks, brilliance, and irk-
someness of the foreigners ; at the rebounding furious shouts and
bellowings of the various embattled tribes on both sides, rushing
against and coming into collision with one another. Huge, flickering,
horrible aerial phantoms rose up, so that they were in cursed, com-
mingled crowds tormenting him ; and in dense, rustling, clamorous,
left-turning hordes, without ceasing ; and in dismal, regular, aerial, stonn-
shrieking, hovering, fiend-like hosts constantly in motion, shrieking
and howling as they hovered about them [i. e. about both armies] in
every direction to cow and dismay cowards and soft youths, but to
invigorate and mightily rouse champions and warriors ; so that from
the uproar of the battle, the frantic pranks of the demons, and the
clashing of arms, the sound of the heavy blows reverberating on the
points of heroic spears and keen edges of swords, and the warUke
borders of broad shields, the noble hero Suibhne was filled and in-
toxicated

"* White satin to the sun displayed, — end of this volume. It is strange that no
For some account of the armorial bearings account of this Ferdoman is preserved in
among the ancient Irish see Note H, at the the Irish Annals.

232

o'oillc ocup D'paennell ocup o'poluniain, o'uaTnan ocup o'puapcap,
ocupo'pip-gealcacc, o'pualapj, ocup o'uachbap, ocup o'panbpopup;
conac bui mo ale na aige, 6 biinn 50 baicip, 00 na oepna caipche
cumupcoa cpic-hluaiiYtnec, pe epic na comeajla, ocup pe pcemlig
na pcuibeamlacca. Ro cpicnaijpec a copa, map buo nepc ppora
50 pip-cuapgam ; po cuiq^ec a aipm ocup a ilpaebpa uaoa, ap
lagao ocup ap luach-pineo a luc-jlac impu, pe h-anaccbainj a
n-imconjbala; po leacpac ocup po luaimmspec a 6-ooipppi eip-
cecca pe jabao na jealcacca ; po imclaipec anjala a incinoi i
cupalaib a cmo pe pocpam na pelmaine ; po cbpepcap a cpame
pe jpoo-biDjao na jenioecca ; po opluaimm^ a uplabpa pe me*
paioecc in mfcapaiO; po eaoapbuapaij a ainim [anam] co n-aijneo
ocup CO n-ilpuimb imoa, uaip ba h-i pm ppem ocup pora pip-Oilep
na pfp eajla pein. Rob e a mnpamail ann pein map bip bpaDan 1
m-buailio, no en ap na up-gabail 1 capcaip comoluca cliabain. Qcc
cena nip miD-ldc ocup nip mepaigi mi-gaipcio peme piam m ci o'd
cancaoap na h-abaipi ocup na h-aippDena cinDpceoail ceciD ocup
upcpialla imgabala pm ; ace po mallacc Ronam, .1. panccip, o'a
po buaiopeo ocup apo-naeim Gpenn o*a eapcaine ap na pfneaD
ocup ap na papujao pa planaijecc, ocup mapbca in mic clepij Da
mumncep op cino na clapach coipeajapra, munn p6n ocup na
pip-cippac ponn-jlaini ap ap' cuipeao cpeaopa ocup comamo in
Coimoeo o'uaiplib ocup o'apD-mairib Gpenn ocup 00 each ap
ceana, pe comcpiall in caca.

Imchupa Suibne, mic Colmam Chuaip, mic Cobcai?;, pij Dal

n-Qpaioe

° St. Ronan He was abbot of Dniim- Lanigan was misled by Colgan (Acta SS.

ineascluinii(nowDrumiskin),inthecounty p. 141, n. 17), who is the real author of

of Louth ; see Note*, p. 40, supra: where this mistake. The name Druim-ineas-

Lanigan's error in confounding Druim- cluinn is retained to this day by those who

ineascluinn with Drumshallon is corrected, speak Irish, and is always applied by them

toxicated with tremor, horror, panic, dismay, fickleness, unsteadiness,
fear, flightiness, giddiness, terror, and imbecility ; so that there was
not a joint of a member of him from foot to head which was not con-
verted into a confused, shaking mass, from the effect of fear, and the
panic of dismay. His feet trembled, as if incessantly shaken by the
force of a stream; his arms and various edged weapons fell from
him, the power of his hands having been enfeebled and relaxed
aroimd them, and rendered incapable of holding them. The inlets
of hearing were expanded and quickened by the horrors of lunacy ;
the vigour of his brain in the cavities of his head was destroyed by
the clamour of the conflict ; his heart shrunk within him with the
panic of dismay ; his speech became faultering from the giddiness of
imbecihty ; his very soul fluttered with hallucination, and with many
and various phantasms, for that (i. e. the soul) was the root and
true basis of fear itself. He might be cpmpared on this occasion to
a salmon in a weir, or to a bird after being caught in the strait prison
of a crib. But the person to whom these horrid phantasms and dire
symptoms of flight and fleeing presented themselves, had never be-^
fore been a coward, or a lunatic void of valour ; but he was thus
confounded because he had been cursed by St. Ronan", and denounced
by the great saints of Erin, because he had violated their guarantee,
and slain an ecclesiastical student of their people over the consecrated
trench, that is, a pure clear-bottomed spring over which the shrine
and communion of the Lord was placed for the nobles and arch-
chieftains of Erin, and for all the people in general, before the comr
mencement of the battle.

With respect to Suibhne, the son of Colman Guar, son of Cobh-

thach,

to Drumiskin, which was a celebrated mo- Irish spelling Dru%m-8ealain\ \a a very
nasteiy, and where the ruins of a round different place, not celebrated in history, of
tower still exist* Drumshallon (in the remarkable fpr any remains of antiquity,
IBI8H ARCH. SOC. 6, 2 H

234

n-Qpcnoc, impaicep a^amo pe h-eao; o tfeaimc in olai poluaimnec

pulla fin pdip-pium, po linsefcop leim lucmap, lan-6cponi, conao

ann po puipmiprcrp ap jlan-aijlmD pccic m cupao ba comnepa

Do; ocup po paemupcap in c-ach-leim, conaO ann po puipmipcap

ap moeom cepocomapcaij cipfn catbaipp m cupao ccona ; cio

cpacc mp aipijepcap pcm epium ic puipmeo paip, jep ba coppac

m cacafp comnaioi ap ap cinoeprap. Conao aipe pin po popbup-

ccqi puni aen comaipli anbpopaio, 6ciallaiOi, .1. Opuim pe ooinib,

ocup popcnum pe piaoaib, ocup coinpic pe ceatcnb, ocup imlur pe

h-enaib, ocup peip 1 papaijib. Conio aipe pm, po puipmiprap m

cpep leim lucmap, lan-6cponi, conao ann po anupcap ap bapp m

bile buaoa po boi ap niin-6ipbi m muiji, air 1 pabaoap po-pluaij

ocup panopcn^i pep n-Gpenn, 1 compe^aO m caca. Ro jpecpac

pem ime-pium ap each aipo '5a paicpm o*a cennao ocup oa cimpu-

5ao 'pm caclacap ceona ; ip Oe pm pucpum rpi rpen-peaoga

cinneanaip o'lmgabail na h-ipjaili, ocup ip e capla 06 oul i cenn

na cach-laicpec ceOna,pe muipbell ocup pe mepaioecc m micapaiO;

ace cena ni calam 00 caioliuo, ace ip ap popmnaib pep ocup ap

cennaib cacbapp po cinoeao.

Capla aipe mopecmi caic co coiccenn ap Shuibne pa'n pcnnla-

ym^ cop ub e compao each cupao pe ceili, na ceio, na ceio pep m

maip opcumoai^ examail uaib, a pipu, bap lacpun, ^an cogpaim

ocup jan cappacam, .1. map m aipo-pig h-ua Qinmipech pobui uime

pium m laire pm, ap na cionacul 6 Domnall 00 Chonjal, ocup ap

na rionacul o Chonjal 00 Shuibne, 00 peip map popglep Suibne a

n-maO eli :

ba h-e ^uc cac aen ouine

oo'n r-plua5 oerla oairh,

o Who haweeer did not /eel him, — It was that lunatics are as light as feathers, and
the ancient belief in Ireland, and is still in can climb steeps and precipices like the
some of the ^vilder mountainotLS districts, Sonmabulists. — See Buile Shnibhne, al-

fl35

thach, king of Dal Araidhe, let us treat of him for another while ;

when he was seized with this frantic fit, he made a supple, very light

leap, and where he alighted was on the fine boss of the shield of the

hero next him; and he made a second leap and perched on the vertex

of the crest of the helmet of the same hero, who, however, did not

feel him°, though the chair on which he rested was an uneasy one.

Wherefore he came to an imbecile, irrational determination, namely,

to turn his back on mankind, and to herd with deer, run along with

the showers, and flee with the birds, and to feast in wildernesses.

Accordingly he made a third active, very light leap, and perched on

the top of the sacred tree which grew on the smooth surface of the

plain, in which tree the inferior people and the debiUtated of the

men of Erin were seated, looking on at the batde. These screamed

at him from every direction as they saw him, to press and drive him

into the same battle again ; and he in consequence made three furious

bounces to shun the battle, but it happened that, instead of avoiding

it, he went back into the same field of conflict, through the giddiness

•and imbecility of his hallucination ; but it was not the earth he

reached, but alighted on the shoulders of men and the tops of their

helmets.

In this manner the attention and vigilance of all in general were

fixed on Suibhne, so that the conversation of the heroes among each

other was, " Let not," said they, " let not** the man with the wonderful

gold-embroidered tunic pass from you without capture and revenge."

He had the tunic of the monarch the grandson of Ainmire upon him

on that day, which had been presented by Domhnall to Congal, and

by Congal to Suibhne, as Suibhne AzW^//* testifies in another place :

*' It was the saying of every one

Of the valiant, beauteous host.

Permit

ready often alluded to. na c6id. — This verb is here repeated in

^ Letnot^ Mid they, let not. — Ha c4io, both copies. The verb, particularly in the

2H2

236

na ceic uaib pa'n cael-mume,
peap in maip maich,

6a Tn6it)i a muipbell ocup a mepugao Tnirapam each Da corh-
airnc pa'n cuma pit), ocup po boi pium ap in buaiopeo booba pm
no CO cucao cich cpuam, mep cloc pncacca — o'lnncomapca apmui^
o'pepaib Gpenn — ^gop jluaipepcap pum leip pm cich pin» map jac
n-eacaiD n-apmuiji ele, amail apbepc Suibne m inao eli :

T?op e pin mo ceD pir-pa,
po pa luac m pich,
o'eaj upcap na jornaibe,
Dam-pa pep in cic.

Conio pe gelcacc ocup pe jeniDechc po cmD comaipli o pin
amac 1 cem po pa beo.

Cio cpacc, jcp ba oamjen Oin-apmoa, oelj-pennac cac aipo
ocup cac aipcill 00 na cacaib cechcapoa 1 j-compo^, poppac cno-
Icnna, aimoepa, uppcailci, ap n-accuma, a n-anpao, ocup a n-jair-
Icnn n-^aipciD ; ocup poppac pceimelca, pcainnepci, pciac-bpipci,
ap n-a pcaileo, a leibenna IfniDe, lebup-pciach, ap na lan-bpipiuD.
Deirbip ooib-pium 6n, uaip ba cic-anpaD cuan-rpacca calaiD jan
popcao jan accappoic ap cpen-ceacaib ruacaipDi, capm-^airhe
cuaipcepcaiji m caiman, Dap ab ainm pegainm, painijci, pluaj-
bepla pacp Gabpaioi, pabpcmopup, amail acbepc m pile :

Quepcap m jaec a neap,

pabpcmopup acuaio jan ceap,

pcepepup

imperative mood, is, even in the modem St MuUin^s, in the cotmty of Carlow, by

vernacular Irish, often repeated for the Mongan, the swineherd of St Moling, and

sake of emphasis. was interred with great honours in the

^ And it was by lunacy Conio pejel- church there, by the saint himself, who,

cacc, &c. — Suibhne was, many years af- it appears, had a great veneration for this

terwards, murdered at Tigh Moling, now royal lunatic His eccentric adventures

237

Permit not to go from you to the dense shrubbery
The man with the goodly tunic."

His giddiness and hallucination of imbecility became greater in
consequence of all having thus recognized him, and he continued in
this terrible confusion until a hard, quick shower of hailstones, — an
omen of slaughter to the men of Erin, — began to fall, and with this
shower he passed away like every bird of prey ; as Suibhne said in
another place :

" This was my first run, —
Eapid was the flight, —
The shot of the javelin expired
For me with the shower."

And it was by lunacy*" and imbecility he determined his counsels
from that out as long as he lived.

To proceed. Though every part and division of both contending
armies were solid, well-armed, bristly, their heroes and vaUant
spearmen were scattered, disarrayed, dispersed, and deformed ; their
lines of broad shields being broken through were scattered, disor-
dered, and shattered. The reason was, there was then a shower-
storm on the haven without shelter or harbour against the mighty
squalls of the high, loud-howling north wind of the earth, which, in
the copious, noble Hebrew language, is called by the appropriate
jiame of Sabstindrus, as the poet says :

" Auestar is the southern wind,

Sabstindrus the northern without doubt,

Steferus

are minutely detailed in a curious ancient Morissy's paper copy of this tale, which

Irish romance entitled Buile Shuibkne^ L e. has been already so often referred ta The

Madness of Suibhne, which immediately word ^ealcacc is used to this day in the

follows the Battle of Magh Rath in Mac .sense of lunacy or madness.

238

pcepcpur a map jan cdin,
ulpulanup 'n a comoail,

Ocuf Dm pop, ba Tnian-jlacao mogaD ap pano-plaraib poic-
pemla pmbaioi 5a pollpccab, .1. poppac, ocup popcceao, ocup
pep5-Dicpacc na pemneD, gpepacc, ocup ^eo^naD, ocup jpipao
na n-jaipceoac ic cennaD ocup ic cimcellao na qien-pep. Ocup
oin ba 5pot)-5peapa ^aibni^e le h-opoaib lomcpomaib, ^le-bopba
gabann ap rnnoib caeb-oepga, caioleca cellai^ 'gd rpen-cuap-
gam, bpoprao, ocup bpuaiDpeaD, ocup bpar-aiplec na lu-buioen ;
peccaD, ocup pluaig-neapc, ocup ppainpcoac na pluas pocal-bopb,
ic copnum, ocup ic conjbail, ocup ic compeaccao ap a cell ; conap
aipij aipec na aipo-pij comtcnnca a capac 00 compoicpi a ceneoil,
na popeijen pfp-aicme na aen-cinio o'pacpaibe a pialupa. Ocup
Dm ni mo po motaigpec caem-clanna cupao Oooainj a pmnpcap
na a pap-airpec 5a pdpujao; ocup 56p b'lacpiDe ann mp c6r-
paijepcap cabaip na cu5n6maD a capac na a lan-airne '5a laec-
aiplec, ocup '5a pdpcceao ocup '5a poobuD 'na piaonaipi ; uaip ba
h-uilliu ocup ba h-aiobpiji le cac n-aen uaicib a peiom ocup a
eDualan^ booein pe Derbip na odla pm, nd pei&m ocup popeijen
a capac Do cummujao, nd a ci^epna do cepap^am.

CiD cpa ace, ni jndc Depb-^ul ^an Depjuba, na laccaD jan
popei^en, na cac-poi ^an cpo-linDci. Ocup Din pob imDa 'pa n-ip^ail
pm puipme paena, poipcciDe, ocup Dpon^a Duaibpeca, Dian-mapbca,
ocup cpen-pip caeb-cippci, cpa]x:aipti, ocup aipij uacmapa, poD-
baigci, ocup pceich pcailcijchi, pcamnepco, ocup j^leja ppob-pillci,
peam-lupca, ocup claiDme caicmeca, cpuaiD-bpipci ; ocup ppap-
linnci puilije, pop-Depja pola, ocup polc-gpenD pemneD ap polua-

mam,

' UUndantu. — Our EUthor, or his inter- Tuptioixs of the names given by Pliny,

polator, is mistaken in supposing the niunes Hist. Nat L ii 47. "Auestar** is evi-

of the winds in the foregoing qnatnon to dently Auster; *' Sabstindms" seems some

be Hebrew ; they are no more than cor- disguised form of Septentrio; "Bteferus"

239

Steferus the western without error,

And Ulsulanus'' its corresponding wind (L e. the east)!'

And moreover, like the eagerness with which labourers grasp the
feeble twigs of the forest wood in cutting them^ was the stem, dark,
intense wrath of the heroes, the exciting, slaughterings and stirring
up of the champions on the one side, pressing upon and surrounding
the mighty men on the other. And like the rapid and violent ex-
ertion of smiths, mightily sledging the glowing iron masses of th^
furnaces, were the incitements, smiting and slaughtering of the troops;
the firmness, the strength, and the snorting of the haughty-furious
hosts, opposing, resisting, and viewing each other; so that neither
chief nor arch-prince perceived the aasistance of his friends, nor the
nearness of his tribe, nor the oppression suffered by his own people,
or any part of his relatives. Neither did the fidr sons of heroes per-
ceive the difficulties of their fathers or grandfathers while being op-
pressed, nor did they mind to aid or assist their friends or intimate
acquaintances, while being heroically slaughtered, hacked, and cut
down in their presence ; for each of them deemed his own exertion
and suffering during the violence of that action too extensive and
vast, to think of the struggle or suffering of his friends, or to protect
his lord.

Howbeit, true weeping does not usually occur without tearful
sorrow, nor groaning without violence, nor a battle-field without floods
of blood. And accordingly many were the feeble, lacerated troops,
the horribly-slaughtered bands; mighty men side-mangled, prostrated;
haughty chieftains hewn down ; shields cleft and scattered ; spears
warped and rivet-bent ; warlike swords hard-broken ; rapid streams
of red-blood flowing ; and the hair of heroes' flying and hovering

is ZephyruB; and " UlsxilanuB," the east rather than of the author, is probably the

wind, is obviously identical with Pliny's source of these corruptions.

Sub9olanu8. The ignorance of transcribers, • The hair of heroes. — See the account

240

main, CO ndp ba Icip lepbaipe lapamain, IcnnDepoa, lan-paip-pnj
in aeoip uaiprib, pe h-imao pole ocup paob ocup pmnpaiD uach-
beppca paob-pcailci an-aicmo, ap na n-up-cojbail Do cennaib
cupao ocup cacmileD ; conao h-c pm aobap o'dp papapcap puac-
ncll poipccTOe, pip-Dopca, D'ap ceileo in cleici coiccenn clic-paippinj
ceccaptxi op a cenoaib ; ocup gep b'lac ponn-celcpa polc-jlapa,
pep-oluiCT m caiman pa rpaijcib, m luju po lan-celic pe h-imao
na n-ap ocup na n-il-6chc ma coppacaib cpuat>-aipli5 i cenn a
cell.

Ro b'e aipD-mep ocup mnpamail a n-eicep ocup a n-oUoman
ap ecopc in apmui^e pin, jop b'ecp€oip, ocup gup b'anpopupca Do
macaib ocup do min-Damib ceimniujab cac aipDi ocup cac inaiD a
capla ciug ocup cpomlac in aiplij ocup m apmuije i cenn a cell.
Nip b'injnaD imoppa D*ecpib an c-aipD-mep pin, ciD popbann le
piallac a eiprecca a puijell; ap ba ppuc-aibne pilceca, paeb-Diana
cac claip ocup cac claD-ecpije compeiD pa copaib na cupaD, ocup
ba ppap-lmnci puiligi, pip-Doimne cac pan ocup cac popaD-slenn
poD-jlap pop-learhan puicib.

CiD rpa ace, Do baDap pdiDi poillpijci pip, ocup poipne pocaigri
ocup piaDnaipi concpdpDa, cunnrabapcach, pe paD ocup pe n-a
pip-cpuap po cocaijpec na cupaiD ceccapDa, jan cloD jan cum-
pcugaD pe cell, ip m cac-lacaip. ConiD aipe pm pob mDepb, ocup
pob amaippec paipcme a pellpum, ocup a pfp-eolach, Do Dpeim
Dib DO leic po leit, ap n-DiulcaD, ocup ap n-DicpeiDem D6ib ap a
n-Diabul-cepDaib DpaiDecca boDem, pe peccaD ocup pe pip-DeliujaD
na pluaj a^aiD in a^aiD ip m imapjail ; co nd paibi 'gd pdiDib
ocup 'jd pfp-eolcaib ace a peirem ocup a pupnaiDi, co pepcaip
ca Dpem Dib ap a coipnnpeD, ocup ap a caipippeD cupcaipri ocup

coicci

of the profusion of human hair which is vol. i. p, 136. The ancient Irish wore their
f aid to have been cut off the hexx)e8 in the hair flowing on the shoulders, so that it may
Battle of Clontarf, in Dublin Penny Jour., have been cut off by the sword in battle.

241

in the air, so that the broad, bright, brilliant lamp of heaven over
them was invisible with the quantity of hair, scalps, and beards cut
oflf and raised up off the heads of heroes and warriors. Wherefore
a dark and gloomy cloud was produced, by which the universal, ex-
pansive welkin over the heads of both armies was concealed ; and
as to the green-haired, close-grassy carpets of the earth imder their
feet, they were not less concealed by the immensity of the slain
and the numberless victims in litters of dire slaughter over each
other.

The estimate and comparison made by their poets and ollaves of
the appearance of this slaughter were, that in every spot and place
where the thick and prodigiousness of this carnage and slaughter had
occurred, it was impossible for boys and small men to pass. This
great estimation made by the poets, though hyperbolical to a hero's
hearing it sounds, was not to be wondered at, for every pit and fur-
row were flowing dire-rapid rivers imder the feet of the champions,
and every declivity and green-sodded wide glen were deep pools of
blood under them.

In the mean time the soothsayers, the revealers of knowledge,
and those who had delivered predictions, were contradictory and
doubtful, in consequence of the length of time and stubbornness with
which the heroes on both sides maintained the field without pelding
or giving way on either side. Wherefore the predictions of their
philosophers and wise men became uncertain and doubtful to some of
them on either side, they having renounced and disbelieved their
own demoniacal sciences of magic, in consequence of the incessant
successive rallyings and dispersions of the forces on either side in the
contest ; so that their diviners and wise men could do no more than
remain in a state of suspense and indecision, until they should learn
on which party the success and prosperity of the battle would descend
ntisH AECH. soG. 6. 2 1 and

242

coicci na n-jliao; ocuf Din po paTnai^peD vn 6e nfch-^ubac N6ic
a neipc-bpfja.

Imchufa ceirpi mac Gachach buiDi, impaicep ojaino pe heao
ell. Rucpac Oct puacap Deppcnaijci Dec pa cacaib na cuiceoac,
po maiopec ocup po niapbpac c6c caca cac-laicpec, map popjlep
Duboiao Dpai :

Do cuaoap cpep m cop caiolec
pa Do oec,
Do mapbpac Do pluaj na caem-pep
Da ceD Dec.

Qnpac ip in ipjail icip jappaDaib ^ailian, ap cmneD caca
puachaip. Oc concacap cechpap laech-aipech Do Caijnib eachpaip
na n-Qlbanach ic comdiplec caic, .1. CXmlaib Uallach, pig Ctca
Cliar, ocup Caipppi Cpom, pi^ Laigpi Laijen, ocup QeD Ctipjnec,
pij O Ceinnpelaij, ocup Qilill CeDach, pij O Pailgi, po laDpac

' The batde-terrific Beneit, — 6e nir-ju-
bac Neic — She was the Bellona of the
ancient Irish. In Mac Morissy's copy she
is called an Be ^ab-uicneo, and P. Connell
explains it in the margin, the Groddess of
War.

** The troops of the Gailians 5°rr°-

oaiB ^ailian. — Gailian is an ancient
name of Leinster. — See OFlaherty's Ogy-
gia, and Duald Mac Firbis's Genealogical
Book.

^ Amlaibh Uallach, king ofAth Oliaih,

i. e. of Dublin. This shows that the pre-
sent account of the Battle of Magh Rath
was written many centuries after it was
fought, for Amhlaibh is a Danish name
which the ancient Irish had not in use

among them till they intermarried with
the Danes in the eighth or ninth century.
The writer, evidently without observing
the anachronism, had in view one of the
Amlaffs or Anlaffs, who were Danish kings
of Dublin some centuries after the year
637 or 638, when this battle was fought.
The Irish had the name Amhalgaidh from
the earliest period of their history, but
thi^ though now Anglicised Awley, and
possibly of cognate origin with the Dano-
Irish Amhlaibh, Anlaf, Amlaff, Olaf, or
Awley, is not identical with it.

^ CairbreCromj kingofLaighiSy in Lein-
ster, — Laighis or Laoighis, which is Lati-
nised Lagisia and Anglicised Leis and Leix,
is a territory in the present Queen'scounty ;

243

and tarry, and which of them the battle-terrific Beneif would more
inspire with her vigors.

With respect to the four sons of Eochaidh Buidhe, we shall treat
of them for another while. They made twelve remarkable rushes
into the battalions of the provincialists, and defeated and slew one
hundred persons in every battle-place, as Dubhdiadh the druid tes-
tifies:

" They passed through the splendid army
Twelve times,
And slew of the host of the fair men
Twelve hundred."

After completing these onslaughts they stopped in the conflict
among the troops of the Gailians". Four of the heroic chieftains of
Leinster, namely, Amlilaibh Uallach [i. e. the Haughty], king of Ath
Cliath^, Cairbre Crom, king of Laighis, in Leinster'', Aedh Airgnech,
king of Ui Ceinnselach*, and Ailill Cedach, king of Ui Failghe^ per-
ceiving

but it is not co-extensive with that county,
as generaUy supposed by modem Irish to-
pographers, for Laighis comprised no por-
tion of the barony of Upper Ossory, nor
of the baronies of Tinnahinch or Portna-
hinch, and ^scarcely any of the barony of
Slievemargy.

^ Aedh Airgnechy king of h-Ui Ceinn-
seSaigh, — ^For an account of the extent of
this territory see Circuit of Muirchertach
Mac Neill, p. 36.

yAUiUCedach, king o/0'Failgke.— It is
stated in BuUe Shuibhne that this AiliU
was slain in the Battle of Magh Rath by
Suibhne GeUt O'Failghe, which is Latin-
ised Ofalia and Ophdia, and Anglicised

Offaly and Ophaley, is a territory not en-
tirely in the present King's County, as is
generally assumed by modem Irish to-
pographers, but situated partly in that
county and partly in the county of ELil-
dare and the Queen's County. It is gene-
rally supposed that in the reign of Philip
and Mary the territory of Leix was formed
into the Queen's County, and that of
Ophaley into the King's County; but this
is a very great error, for there is nearly
as much of Ophaley included in the Queen's
as there is in the King's County, and be-
sides, the baronies of Garrycastle, Bally-
cowan, Fercal, Clonlish, and Ballybritt,
in the latter county, were never included

2 I 2

244

m cecpap cupao fin upnapc imjona ap oj-pi^paiD Qlban, gup
cipp[Hic cae^aD cupao caca pip co n-a poipmb 'na piaonaif i. Nfp
mairpec meic Gachach a n-anbpala oo'n ceo puacap cupao pin ;
cepc jabaip Conjal Caipppi 'p m comluno ; olucaijip Domnall in
ipjal ap Ctmlaib; panncaijip Suibne m imjuin pe Ctilell; po
opbpac m oa Qeo a n-imbualao. Roppac coTnofjalca a cneaoa
ap a cell occap aipec na h-imlaioi, jup maiopec meic Gachach
aipecup copcaip na cac-laicpec, amail apbepc m pile :

Copcaip Cteo Qipjnech imne

la h-Qeo mac Gachach buioe,

pe Suibne pluajach 'p in cac

1 copcaip Ctilell Ceoach.
Caipppi, pig Caijpi na lenn,

1 copcaip pe Conjal TTleno,

pe Domnall m-6peac co n-ame

copcaip Qmlaib impaile,

Cio cpacc, nfp mepa ocup nip miolacu meipnec ocup mop-
jnimpao maicne opec-oepji DomnaiU, mic Qeoa, mic Qmmipec,
ic Oijail cneo in cecpaip pm ap Ullcaib ocup ap allmapcaib, .i.
pepgup, ocup Qenjup, Qilell, ocup Coljju, ocup Conall a coman-
manna : ap m-buaoujao caca bdipe, ocup ap maioem caca mop-
copcaip, ocup ap cinoeo caca cac-puachaip Oo macaib aipo-pij
Gpenn, oo compaicpec, cenn i cenn, ocup ceicpe meic pig Qlban,
Ro paijpec ocup po panncaijpec peipiup pomemail oo na clann-
maicnib pm a cell, .i. Conjal, ocup Suibne, ocup Cteo, cpi meic
Gchach buioi, Qilell, ocup Colju, ocu[' Conall, cpi meic DomnailL

Nip

in the ancient Ophaley. This territory, those of Portnahinch and Tinnahinch, in

-which is very famous in Irish history, the Queen's County, and that portion of

comprised the baronies of Upper and the King's County included in the dioceses

Lower Ophaley, in the county of Kildare> of Kildare and Leighlin.

245

ceiving these sallies of the Albanachs slaughtering the people, they
closed a wounding circle upon the young princes of Alba, so that
each of them cut down fifty heroes with their forces in their presence.
The sons of Eochaidh did not forgive them their enmity for this first
heroic onslaught. Congal attacked Cairbre in the combat; Domh-
nall pressed the conflict on Amhlaibh ; Suibhne coveted to contend
with Ailill, and the two Aedhs longed to come to blows. These
eight chiefs of combat inflicted wounds with equal vengeance on one
another, and the sons of Eochaidh gained the victory of the battle-
place, as the poet says :

" Aedh Airgnech was slain no doubt

By Aedh, the son of Eochaidh Buidhe \

By Suibhne, the populous in the strife,

Ailill Cedach was slain.
Cairbre, king of Laighis of tunics"

Was slain by Congal Menn ;

By Domhnall Brec with expertness

Was Amlaibh, the mariner, slain."

Howbeit, the courage and great deeds of the blooming-faced sons

of Domhnall, son of Aedh, son of Ainmire, were not the worse or

the more cowardly in revenging the wounds [deaths] of these four

on the Ultonians and foreigners, viz., Fergus, Aengus, Ailell, Colgu,

and Conall by name. After every other goal had been won, every

great triimiph gained, and every battle-onset accomplished by these

sons of the monarch of Erin, they and the four sons of the king of

Alba fought hand to hand. Six of these puissant sons coveted and

sought each other, viz., Congal, Suibhne, and Aedh, three of the sons

of Eochaidh Buidhe, and Ailell, Colgu, and Conall, three of the sons

> Kinp of Laighis of tunics In the Laoighis of swordSj^ but this, though it

paper copy the reading is Caipbpe, pi^ makes very good sense, does not appear as
Caoijf 1 ?ia lann, i. e. '* Cairbre, king of correct as the reading in the vellum copy as

246

Nip ba li-eifleDac in imaipiuc pi), uaip ba coniDicpa a compac,
ocup ba coTncpom comaOaip a comlonn ; uaip ba comouchcupa
comccTieoil icip Gpinn ocup Qlbain cumgeDa caema, cpaeb-uaipli,
cdoaip m comlainD pin ocup m compaic.

Cio cpacc nip b'aipem aipec icip plaitnb ic ple6-ol oppu a
h-aicli na h-imlaioe pm, ace ba mcap maicne icip mapbaib, ap
n-a muDu^ao, ap na comcuiciTn pe cell, amail apbepc m pili :

Ceirpe meic 6chech buiDi,

CU15 meic Domnaill, pij Daipe,

oebaiD po opbpaoap oe,

oc concaoap a ceile.
Seipiup Dib-pm popum njle,

po mapbpaoap a ceile,

CCeD, Suibne, Conjal na clann,

Qilell, C0I5U ocup Conall.

Cuipcecca m cpfp nap mapbao oo'n maicne pin, .1. pepjup
ocup Qenjup, oa mac Domnaill, ocup Domnall bpeac, mac 6ch-
ach buiDi. Qcc cena, po b'lncompaic epein o'Pep^up no o'Cten^up,
ocup pob' poplann oebaio na oepi oepbpachap *n-a a^aiD a aenup ;
Daig po cpaerpac ocup po coipnepcap Domnall, jup t>amaip m
c-65-mac a up^abail ; co n-ebaipc a bpeic 'na becaiD ap paepam
na placa, ocup a arcup ap h-ua n-Qinmipec. Ocup do pmoeaD pip
map Do paiDiupcap; ocup pucaD h-e D'mnpaijiD aipD-pij Gpenn,
5upa apploino a pialap 'n a piaDnaipi, .1. Colum Cilli, mac peiD-
limiD, o'oilemam a achap, .i. 6chai6 buiDi, mac QeDam, amail
apbepc m pili :

CCengup ip pep^up co becc

po jabpacap Domnall bpecc,

given above in the text, because the rhjnne perfect Na ienn is translated to^rutn hj
with meno or ineann would not be so Colgan in Trias Thaum. p. 225, coL i.

247

of Domlinall. This was not a soft contest, for their fight was equally
sanguine and their conflict equally powerful and creditable ; for the
comely, free-bom, honourable heroes of this conflict and combat were
of equally noble descent both of Erin and of Alba.

Howbeit, it was not the reckoning of chiefs among princes at a
banquet was to be made on them after this conflict, but they were
estimated as youths among the dead, for they were slain and fell
mutually by one another, as the poet says :

" The four sons of Eochaidh Buidhe,

The five sons of Domhnall, king of Daire,
Coveted to come to single combat
When they beheld each other.
Six of these of bright achievements
Mutually slew each other,
Aedh, Suibhne, Congal of thrusts,
Ailell, Colgu, and Conall."

With respect to the three of these sons who were not slain, viz.,
Fergus and Aengus, the two sons of king Domhnall, and Domhnall
Brec, the son of Eochaidh Buidhe, the latter was fit to contend with
either Fergus or Aengus singly^ but it was too much to have the two
brothers against him alone ; and they subdued and vanquished him, and
that youthful warrior suffered himself to be taken prisoner ; and he
requested that he might be brought alive imder the mercy of the king,
and to be handed over to the disposal of the grandson of Ainmirech.
This was done accordingly as he had requested : he was conveyed to
the monarch of Erin, before whom he pointed out his friendship with
his family, viz., that Colum Cille, the son of Feidhlimidh, had fostered
his father, Eochaidh Buidhe, the son of Aedan, as the poet says :

"Aengus and Fergus expertly
Captured Domhnall Brec,

And

248

CO cucf ac mac Gchach uill
'n a bechaio i laiih Domnaill.
bliaoam Do i laim Domnaill oein,
CO cdmc Gochaio o'd peip,
5up leic Domnall, — japg a ^luino, —
a mac 00 6alca Coluim.

CiD cpacc, map Do cualaio Gonial Claen cac-puacap clainoi
Gachach D'popt>(baD, ba lonn ocuf ba lopcao le Congal ceicpe
tiaicne oipopaca oipecaip Ctlban o'poipcceaD ap mcaib a enij;
coniD aipe ym po clip epcap Conjal pd na cacaib map clipep piao-
mil puarh-peaojach, pomopoa paipji pa mupbpuccaib mon^-puaoa
maomannacha min-6ipc mop-mapa. Ro leanpac luce a pecmi
ocuf a imoeagla Gonial 00 compai^mb cupaD ocup car-mileo
Ulao ocup allmapac, pa Conan Rod, mac pij bpecan, ocup pd'n
caejaic cac-mileD co n-iapanD blocaib UUcach6a acu, map 00
can Gonial m mao eli :

Qcu-pa caejaic pep pint),
CO n-apm cupat) op a cmo,
ic Digail m'olc ip mo cneao,
ocup blocc pc cac aen pep.

Guapcaijip Gonial cpiplac m cara moip ap a meoon, ic coga
cpiach icip cpen-pepaib, ocup ic aicne aipD-pi^ icip anpaoaib, ic
pluag-Dijlaim na paep-clano po-ceneoil icip na pluajaib, cumao
ap cot)nacaib m caca po caicpeo pum cec-^pmne a pepji, ocup a
enjnuma, ic comoigail a cneao ap cac, gup ob ea& aipmic u;^Daip
CO ndp pdgaib aipecc, na aicme, na apo-cineb o'pepaib Gpenn uile
gan epbaiD ocup gan accame ecca aipij no aipo-pij, ic comoi-
jail clamoi 6achach opaib. Qcc cena, nip cpeicpeac cejlac a
ruppacca Gonial ip m cacpofn, ace capm-cloca m cigepnaip ic

bdouo

249

And delivered that son of the great Eochaidh
Alive into the hands of Domhnall.
He was a year in the hands of bold DomhnaU>
Until Eochaidh came to submit to him,
So that Domhnall of fierce deed
Grave up his son to Colimib's foster-child."

Now when Congal Claen had heard that the sons of Eochaidh
were cut off, it was grief and burning to him that the four illustrious
pillars of the renown of Alba should have been destroyed while
imder his own protection. Wherefore he rushed through the bat-
talions as a furious sea-monster plunges at red-finned retreating small
fish of the great sea. His attendants and defenders, who were of the
choicest of the heroes and warriors of the Ultonians and foreigners,
followed Congal under the command of Conan Rod, son of the king
of Britain, having Ultonian iron blocks, as Congal said in another
place :

" I had fifty fair men,

With heroic weapons over them,
Revenging my evils and my wounds.
And a block with every one man."

Congal scanned the great host from its centre to its borders,
selecting the leaders from among heroes, and marking the arch-
chieftains among soldiers, picking the free-bom nobility from among
the hosts, so that it might be on the chieftains of the army he would
expend the first paroxysm of his rage and valour in revenging his
woimds on them all ; and authors recount that he did not leave a
party or tribe of the great tribes of the men of Erin without a loss,
or without having to bewail the death of a chief or arch-prince, in
avenging the sons of Eochaidh upon them. Howbeit, the attendants
of Congal in this sally did not abandon him, but the superior renown

IBISH ABCH. see 6. 2 E of

250

bdouo a m-blaiDi, uaip ecc i pail pij a puiolep, amail apbepc m
pill :

6cc 1 pail pij m capba

Do cejlacaib cpen-calma,
a\\ na pijaib pop po oeao ;
bip a nop jen 50b lan-ceao.

Ip Deipniipechc oopem comipjail Conjail ocup Conain com-
impaicep a n-oepnpac a n-ofp amonl apbepc m pile :

^ac ap mapbaoup mapaen,

Condn ip Gonial Claen,

ap Chongal amninijcep pm,

cuiD Chondm Do'n coimiopgail.
No jop cuic Conan calma,

mac pij bpecan bpac-arhpa,

pe Gonial Claen noc ap bean

po mac pij na laec lonn-mep.

ConiD aipe pin po epig imcnuc Conjail pe Conan, pa meo po
mapbupcap Do pijpaiD 6penn ma piaDnaipi, ocup jan Dfl a pamci
Do rappacram D'd cpen-pepaib pe clep-paebpaib Conain ic up-
pclaiji ap a ucc ; jjup pua^aip Conjal Do Chonan ceim Do cupaDaib
Connacc ocup co cuaraib Cempa, co m-bepeD pum a bdipe pa
cpen-pepaib in Cuaipcipc ; uaip nfp lie leip comaD aen aipem ap
pem ocup ap penniD map Conan ip m car-lacaip, amail apbepc
piann pib :

Qcbepc Conjal imtng uaim,
a Chonain RuiD co po buaiD !

^ This quatrain is supplied from Mac that there had been other accounts of the

Morissy's copy, p. 97. Battle of Magh Rath, written before the

^jninn, the poet. — This quotation shows present story was drawn up, and that the

251

of royalty eclipsed their fame, for an achievement performed in the
presence of a king is his inherent right, as the poet says :

"An achievement with a king is of no avail
To his mighty, brave attendants,
To the kings it will be attributed ;
It is the custom, although not by full consent*."

An illustration of this was the joint battle of Congal and Conan :
what both achieved is reported of one, as the poet says :
" What both together slew,
Conan and Congal Claen,
To Congal is attributed,
Conan's part of the conflict as well ds his own.
Until the brave Conan fell,

The son of the renowned king of Britain,
Congal Claen was not touched
By the great son of a king or a puissant hero."
Wherefore Congal's jealousy with Conan arose in consequence of
the great niunber of the chieftains of Erin he had slain, without
leaving him as much as would satisfy his thirst for slaughter, such
was the bravery of Conan in casting with his edged weapons from
before his [ Congal^ s] breast ; so that Congal ordered Conan to ad-
vance to the heroes of Connaught and the tribes of Tara, that he
himself might display his valour among the mighty men of the north;
for he did not like that his own achievements on that battle-field
should be related in conjimction with those of such a hero as Conan,
as the poet Flann** says :

" Congal said, depart from me

O Conan Rod of great triumph !

There

writer availed himself of older writings, largely on his own imagination for ficti-
though it cannot be doubted that he drew tious incidents to fill up his descriptions.

2K2

252

ni uil Y 1^ car, a lafc lumt) !
ace peiDTn aen ouine a^umn.
CuiD Conan pa fluaj Connacc,
ocup Cempa na cpom-alc,
Do luio Conjal, japg a jluino,
pa pluag coTupamach Conaill.

Imchupa Conain, ap n-Deat>ail pe Conjal po compaicpeo cear-
pap aipec Do pijctib Connacc pe Conan, .1. Suibne, mac Cacail
Choppaij, pij h-Ua piacpach, ocup Qeo bpeacc, pijj lonjpopcac
Luijne, ocup QeD Qllan, pig TTleaba Siuil, ocup Qeo buionec, pig
h-Ua TTlame. CiO cpacc Do pocpaoap in cerpap pm Do cumDpcleo
Conam, map popjlep m c-ujDap :

TTlac Cacail Choppaij, Suibnc,
ocup QeD 6pec, pij Cuijne,
Qeo Qllan, QeD buiDnec ban,
DO pocpaDap la Conan.

Conjal

^ Suibhne^ king of h-Ul Fiachrack —
h-Ui Fiachrach is the name of a territory
in the south of the comity of Galway,
which O'Flaherty says is co-extensive with
the present barony of Kiltartan, but it
can be proved from the most authentic
topographical evidences, that before the
De Burgo's of Clanrickard had dismem-
bered the original Irish territories of this
county, h-Ui Fiachrach was exactly co-
extensive with the diocese of Kilmac-
duagh, as laid down on Beaufort's Ecclesi-
astical Map of Ireland. After the esta-
blishment of surnames the chiefs of this
territory were the O'Clerys, O'Heynes,
O'Shaughnessys, and Mac Gillakellys, of

whom, in the later ages, the O'Heynes
and O'Shaughnessys were by far the most
distinguished

d Aedh Breac^ king ofLuighne, — The an-
cient territory of Luighne is co-extensive
with the present barony of Leyny, in the
county of Sligo, in which the name is still
preserved. After the establishment of sur-
names the O'Haras, who are of Momonian
origin, being descended from Tadhg, son
of Cian, son of Olioll Olum, were the chiefs
of this territory.

® Aedh AUan, king ofMeadka Siuil. —
The territory of Meadha Siuil, otherwise
called Magh Siuil, and Magh Seola, and
the inhabitants Ui Briuin Seola, was

253

There is not in the battle, O mighty hero !
But work for one man of us.
Conan went to the forces of Connaught
And of Tara of the heavy deeds,
And Congal of fierce actions
To the valiant forces of Conall."

As for Conan, after his having separated from Congal four chief-
tains of the Connacians engaged with him, viz., Suibhne, son of Cathal
Corrach, king of the Hy-Fiachrach^ Aedh Brec, king of Luighne** of
fortifications, Aedh Allan, king of Meadha Siuil*, and Aedh, of nu-
merous hosts, king of Hy-Maine^ and these four fell by the brave
conflict of Conan, as the author testifies :

** The son of Cathal Corrach, Suibhne,
And Aedh Brec, king of Luighne,
Aedh Allan, Aedh Ban, of numerous hosts,

Were slain by Conan."

Congal

nearly co-extensive with the barony of
Clare, in the county of Gralway. It ex-
tended from Lough Corrib to the conspi-
cuous hUl of Knockmea, at Castle Hackett,
and from Clarinbridge to the north boun-
dary of the parish of Donaghpatrick. This
was the original country of the O'Fla-
hertys, before they were driven across
Lough Corrib into the mountains of Con-
namara and Dealbhna Tire da Loch, by
the De Burgo's of Clanrickard

^ Aedhj kin^ of Hy-Maine. —

The exact boundaries of the territory of
h-Ui Maine are described in O'Dugan's
Topographical Poem, and in a MS. pre-

served in the Library of Trinity College,
Dublin (H. 3. 18. p. 41a.), but it would
be too tedious to give them here. It ex-
tended, according to these authorities, from
the hill of Meadha Siuil, now Ejiockmea,
near Castle Hacket, in the county of Gal-
way, to Lough Ree, in the Shannon, and
from Athenry, in the same county, to the
boundary of Thomond. But after the Clan-
rickard Burkes had dismembered the an-
cient territories of this part of Connaught,
the territory of Ui Maine was much cir-
cumscribed in its limits, and varied in
extent, according to the success or misfor-
tune of its chief, O'Kelly.

254

Conjal impaicep pe h-eaO eli. Cinoip Conjal ceim co cupaoaib

copnamaca Conaill, uaip ip ppiu ba h-uiUiu a pepj ocup a aimnne,

ocup ip ooib ba m6 a mipcne ocup a miDurpacr. CiD cpacc,

jeppac cpumne, cpooa, comOepa, ocup geppac cepca, copaijci,

coTnapoa ciTupa ocup car-imli cara copnamaig Conaill ap cino

Conjail, poppac cpicnaigci, clepapTYiach, ocup poppac pcuccha,

pcailceca, pceniiiapa uile lac-pioe ap cumapc oo Congal ap cpen-

pepaib in Cuaipcipr; jop cincapcap capb-coonac cnucac, copc-

buillech Copaij, .1. Conall, mac baeoam, mic NinDe6a,niicpep5upq

CcnDpooa, irnc Conaill ^^^ban, mic Neill Noi-jiallaij, o Chulac,

Daci, ocup o cpacc-popraib Copaije lap cuaipcepc. Ip ann pin

po cmDepcop Conall ceim cupaio i 5-cepc agaio Conjail, 00 coip-

nearh a cpecain, ocup o'lpliugaD a uabaip, ocup t)0 copnam ocup

Do cobaip clainDi copnamaiji Conaill, ap con^alaib compepje

Conjail. Cit> pil ann cpa, o 00 compaicpec in oa cumjiD caca

pin ucc pe h-ucc, ocup ajaiD m a^aiD, po accuippec oa upcup im-

poiccpi, pip-&ip5e,ecuppu, gup bo cnep-buailce,coThnui6e Do cenDaib

na 5-cpaipech a 5-collaib na cac-mileD, ocup juppac peiDlij, paDa,

puilibe, pip-lebpa popcaba pip-laec cpoinn-apmca, combipje na

cac-cpaipec compaic pm, ap na com-mopma a cuppaib a ceile ;

lap pm cpa po cinnepcap Conall popcpaiD ceime cap conaip co

Conjal D'a eappnaiomeo, ocu]^ D'a upjabail, cap a apmaib ocup

cap a ilpaebpaib, oip ip e po cecpaiDepcaip Conall nap ab aicep

imjona ocup nap b'oipceap imbuailce Do a Dalca Do [cabaipc ap

n-a] Dileijip no ap na 6iccenDa6 co Domnall. ConaD lapom po

laD ocup po uppnaDmupcaip conclanna cpuaiDe, coppnaDmanaca

cupaD

« Tulach Dathi was the ancient name of *» Various sharp weapanSy in Irish lU

a hill in the baronj of Eilmacrenan, in paebpaiB, a word compounded of il, which

the county of Donegal. It is probably in composition has the force of the Latin

the place now called Tullaghobegly. mtdtua or the Greek wXv^^ and paeBofs

^55

Congal shall be treated off for another while. Congal advanced
to the defensive heroes of the Cinel Conaill, for against them his
anger and animosity were mostly directed, and for them he cherished
most malice and hatred. And though the borders and outskirts of
the Cinel Conaill were consolidated, brave, and well-arrayed, ad-
justed, adapted, and equally high to meet Congal, they were all
shaken, dislodged, scattered, and terror-stricken by the mighty on-
slaught which Congal made on these heroes of the north ; imtU the
greedy, heavy-blowed, robustic chieftain of Tory, namely, Conall, the
son of Baedan, son of Ninnidh, son of Fergus Cennfoda, son of Conall
Gulban, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, of Tulach Dathi*, and of the
northern ports of Tory opposed him. Then Conall took the step of
a hero against Congal to restrain his fury, and to humble his pride,
and to protect and assist the defensive race of Conall against his
furious attacks. When these two warlike champions had come breast
to breast and face to face, they made two close straight-aimed thrusts
at each other, so that they buried the heads of their spears in each
other's heroic bodies, and so that the trusty, long, bloody, heroic, straight
shafts of these battle-fighting spears were mutually socketed in each
other's bodies. After this Conall decided to take a step beyond the
boundary to Congal to grasp him about and hold him outside his
arms and various sharp weapons**, for Conall thought that it would be
no triumph of contest or becoming victory in him to present his fos-
ter-son beheaded or incurable to king DomhnalL Wherefore, he
twined his arms in hard-griping heroic grasps aroimd the body and

shoulders

which literally signifies the edge of any the weapons with which an Irish chief was

weapon, and figturatively the weapon itself, armed in the year 1 309, were a dagger,

It appears from Magrath's Wars of Tho- a sword hung from his belt, a dart which

mond, of which there is a MS. in the Li- he carried in his right hand, and a spear

brary of the Royal Irish Academy, that or lance which he bore in his lefL

256

cupao cap copp ocup cap cnep-popmnaib Conjail. po'n cuma ccOna
t>o Conjal Claen, laDap ocup uppnaDmaip na jlac-oomi ^ap^a,
jaibcije, sej-bipse jaipceo, cap copp ocup cap cneap, ocup cap
popmnail ConaiU, ocup cucpacap cuppa calma, comnepca, coim-
Dicpa o'a ceile, ocup cpaiceD neiTn-meipcncc Do pocjail pocpen, ocup
DO paenpaDaij po calma apoile, gup bo caipjpi epic, calcap, capb-
cnucac, cpenjleca jac cpachaD cpuaiD, coiiiDep compince cuipp
ocup cnep cpiocpiilTne jac celj, ocup copp, ocup cpuaiD-jleca Do
cuipecap pe ceile; 50 m-ba pamalra pe paeb-poiclen pap-muilinn
ap pip-bleic imnapc, ocup impic, ocup iTucinicellaD na cupaD ap a
ceile. Cond po pjuippcD Do'n cpeacan, ocup Do'n capb-gleic, ocup
Don cnuc-bupac cpapcapca cpen-pep pm, cop bo caep-meall cun-
pcaijccc ap na compuachaD an clap caep-cpom, cpiaDaiDe, cneap-
aijce, pd n-a copaib; gup bo lan-boj labDa, liuc-linncec lan-Domuin
gac inaD uipcibe, ajaiD-pliuc, ap ap upmaipecap pe pmeb, ocup pe
puacab, ocup pe plaeDpeD, pe ppapjail, ocup pe bonnjail, ocup pe
bopb-cpeipecc, pe Tne|K:a6, ocup pe meallgail, ocup pe muinelaD na
mileD aj5 poicleD ocup aj pocimpoD apoile. Ro cluinpiD cpa po
ceicpe h-apDaib m caca, — mena m-beic Tnenma caic ap conidiplec
a ceile, — peic-pineD a b-peic aj a b-piap-cappaij, ocup alc-jeimncc
a n-alc aj a n-eDappcapoD, ocup clec-cumjujaD a cliab-apnaiD
ag a coTUDpuD 1 cenn a ceile, gup bo Dicutnainj do na Dej-laecaib
upaccup ocup upjabail a n-anala, ap j-cumjachaD na j-conapao
coiccenD a n-aDaijcip uacaib Do sp^f ^ popecnech peDma na pip-

laec.

i Violence of their exertions. — ^o m-ha how the Irish mind in the 19th century,

yxiihalca pe paeb-poiclen fxip-ihuillinn. though tamer and more concentrated than

This is not unlike Carleton's description that of the nth, has produced a some-

of the single cudgel combat between what similar description of a single ren-

Grimes and Kellj, in his Party Fight and counter. " At length, by a tremendous

Funeral, from which we are tempted to effort, KeUy got the staff twisted nearly

quote the following passage, as showing out of Grimes^ hand, and a short shout,

^57

shoulders of Congal, and Congal likewise folded and entwined his
rough, dangerous, stxaight-armed hands of valour around the body
and shoulders of Conall ; they gave brave, mighty, and earnest twists
to each other, and tremendous shakes, with mighty and powerful
twirling, so that their great efforts and struggles, twining and twir-
ling, were active, firm, fierce, and mighty, like two bulls, and they
might be compared to the huge wheel of a mill at rapid-grinding ;
and they did not desist from these mighty struggles untU the deep
clayey surface of the earth under their feet was tempered and
stripped, and imtil every moist spot on which they wrestled was
soft, miry, and deep, from their stretching, struggling, and trampling, as
they turned, swayed, and twirled each other. They would have been
heard throiighout the four quarters of the battle, were it not that the
minds of all were intent on slaughtering one another. The over-
straining of their sinews in their contortions, the cracking of their
joints in dislocations, the compression of their chest-ribs in their
pressing together, made respiration and inspiration difficult to these
goodly heroes, from the contraction of the general passages, caused
by the violence of their exertions^ In short, since the battle of Her-
cules,

half- encouraging, half- indignant, came
from Grime's party. This added shame
to his other passions, and threw an im-
pulse of almost supernatural strength into
him ; he recovered his advantage, but no-
thing more; they twisted; they heaved
their great frames against each other
they struggled ; their action became rapid
they swayed each other this way and that
their eyes like fire; their teeth locked, and
their nostrils dilated. Sometimes they
twined about each other like serpents, and

twirled round with such rapidity, that it
was impossible to distinguish thenL Some-
times, when a pull of more than ordinary
power took place, they seemed to cling
together almost without motion, bending
down until their heads nearly touched the
ground, their cracking joints seeming to
stretch by the effort, and the muscles of
their limbs standing out from the flesh,
strung into amazing tension." — TraiU and
Stories of the Irish Peasantry, second edit.

P- 342-

IRISH ABCH. SOG. 6.

258

laec. dec cena,ni Depna6 cap eipjleacaGpcailjTnicQmphicpiomp,
ocup Qncei, mic Ueppae, aen jleic ocup aen coppaigecc a h-inpa-
mail fin, D015 arh po ba jaibcec m gleic fin, ocup po ba cpuaio in
coppaioecc, ocup po ba dpnaioe m impufjail po'n innuf fin. Ocuf
Dan pobcap cofmaile cerpaioe na cupao im rapcaifne caic ap a
ceile aca if in uaip fin: D015 arh nip ceDpaiD pe Conjal aen-pep
o'a pop cao no Da imconjbail po an innup fin, .1. pe niec a menman,
ocuf pe h-uaibpige a aicenca, ocuf Dno pe h-oll-cerpaiD na n-Ullrac
ap fleccaib a f innf ep. Ocuf Dno, ni mo po cerpaiDep cap Conall
aen-pep D'a popcaD, no D'd imconjbail 'mon mnup fin, pe cije, ocuf
pe rojDacc, ocuf pe cul-buipbe na Uuaifcepcac, if a n-aigneD po
h-oileD, ocuf po aicpeab ann, ocuf pe DijamnDecca a Durcaf a, ocup
pe cecpaiDe a ceneoil o niam-clanDaib nepcmapa, nichaca, nam-
DaiDe Neill, ocup beop a beic 'n-a mac aipD-pij Gpenn, .1. do baeDom,
mac NinneDa, mic pepjupa, mic Conaill, mic Neill Naijiallai^,
map popjlep an c-u^Dap :

Qen bliaDain pe h-ol meDa
Do baeDan, mac NinneDa,
a cecaip picceD puaip Debec
Do boi QeD, mac Qmmipec.

ConaD aipe pin, po cecpaiDepcap Conall ap cac ctiip ap na
compegaD, jjup ab Do boDem commaiDem, ocup po ba Ducca buaD-
u^aD caca bdj;a Do bpeir, ocup copcap caca caingne Do com-
maiDem ; conaD aipe pin, cucapcaip cpen-cop capcuipnec, calma,
comlaiDip, caDac, comnepc, cealj-baejlaiDe cupaD 1 cepc-a^aiD a
colna Do Chongal, co rapla rpecipm na cpoDa, ocup mioDac na

miDcomaiple,

J The son of Amphitryon. — This allusion known in Ireland in the middle ages. It
shows that our author had access to Lucan is curious, however, his calling Hercules
or Statius, and that the Latin classics were the son of Amphitryon.

259

cules, the son of Amphitryon^ with Anteus, the son of Terra, no ren-
counter or wrestling like this had taken place, for thus indeed the
struggle was dangerous, the rencounter hard, and the wrestling vi-
olent. And the heroes were of the same mind as regarded their
contempt for each other at this time ; for Congal did not think that
any one would have been able to resist or withstand him in this man-
ner, from the greatness of his magnanimity, and the haughtiness of his
mind, and moreover, from the high notion of the Ultonians respecting
the glory they derived from their ancestors. Nor did Conall brook it
better that any man should resist or withstand him in this manner, in
consequence of the firmness, distinction, and fierceness of the nor-
therns, and from the feeling which had been nurtured, and which
dwelt within him, and from the native dignity of his tribe, and from
his notion of his descent from the splendid, puissant, warlike race
of Niall, and moreover from his being the son of the monarch of
Erin, viz., of Baedan, son of Ninnidh, son of Fergus, son of Conall,
son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, as the author testifies :

"One year to drink mead^ (i. e. to he in peace)

Was Baedan, son of Ninnidh, king ;

For four and twenty years of strife

Ruled Aedh, the son of Ainmire."
Wherefore, taking every thing into consideration, Conall was of
opinion, that he himself would gain the victory, for it was hereditary
in him to gain the victory in every conflict, and to triumph in every
struggle. Wherefore, he gave one mighty, insulting, brave, robust,
subduing, dangerous twist of his body against Congal, so that the

instigator

^ One year to drink mead. — Qen blicns- inform us that a king or chieftain was re-
am, &c, DO 6aeoan, i e. A. D. 571. — He markable for drinking mead or playing
was succeeded in the year 572 by Aedh, chess, they give us to understand that he
the father of king Domhnall, the hero of enjoyed peace,
this tale. When the ancient Irish writers

2 L 2

26o

TtntKomaiple, ocup ayX)} coimera cel^ ocup couaprnacca, ocup
claen-corhao *r)a cpuinne ylaeoaigri fir-paen, jup bo h-i a ajam ba
h-uaccapac pe Depcao na n-Dul ip in coibeip cerapba op a cionn,
CO paibe compao cuipp m car-mileD ap na rorhap h-i culmainj na
caiman, o piocbaca a pal co popmna a cean-Thullai^ ; co clop po
ceirpib apt)a in caca cpuaio-iaccao an cupaio ocup ceann copna-
nfiac comejin Conjail, lap n-a pmeao ociip ap n-a rpapcpao t)o neapc-
copa nichaca mic bpar-buillibig bacDam. 6a i n-ecmamj na pe
pm, ac cuala Conan Rod cneao-oj^nabac comeijin Corjail, ocup
po innpaij 50 mac bpac-buillioij baeDam, ocup ip amlaio po boi
pioe ina bopb-pDuaij bot)ba op cmo Conjjail, aj rpiall ocuj* ac
cinopceral a cenjail ocup a cpuao-cuibpijre t)o cpiop a cloiDim,
ocup t)o pciarpac a pceice. Uucapcatp eim Conan cpuaio-buille
cloit)im pa ceapc-comaip a cpaioe Do Conall ; ciO cpacc nip
moraij mac bopb-neapcmap baeoam an cpuam-builli clomim pm
no jup compomnepcaip a cliab ocup a cpaioe ap cepc t>o, gup bo
cpecc comoplaicce copp an cupaio ag cuicim co calmam.

Conat) 1 cobaip Conain ap Congal, ocup copuijecc Cor.aill ocup
Congaill ap Car TTluige Rac conuicci pm.

Qcc cena, ni piacc leip m oa pig-milet), .1. le Conan ocup le
Conjal, copcap Conaill t)o commamem, in can 00 piacc clomem
cobupca caic gup in cac-laraip cerna pin, .1. Celiac, mac TTlailcoba,
t)o copnam cmo Conaill pip na cupaoaib, pepiu no bepoip a cop-
cap cap clat) poip 6 na pluagaib; oip ip e a^pmit) ugDaip nac ap
commamet) copcap aen laic o'apo clanna Neill ap laraip m laire

pir,

' In a mighty huge arch. — Ina Bopb- from the fact, that in the best MSS. the

f ouaij^ booba. — Thewordfouaj^orfcuaj^ rainbow is called pouajj nerme, i.e. the

certainly signifies an arch or 3o», though arch of heaven. The word is also applied

it is not so explained in any published to the arch of a bridge, as in the following

Irish Dictionary. This appears obvious example: pil opoicec ac on cacpai^

26l

instigator of the battle, the contriver of the evil design, the receptacle
of treachery and perverseness, and the fell cause of all the slaughter,
was laid supine with his face up to view the clouds, in the wide four-
quartered firmament over him ; so that the length of this warrior's
body was impressed in the surface of the ground from the extremity
of his heel to the top of his head ; so that the hard warrior-shrieks and
violent groans of Congal, when laid thus prostrate by the robust
and vigorous effort of the heavy-striking son of Baedan, were heard
throughout the four quarters of the battle. At this time Conan Rod
heard the loud groans of Congal in this strait, and he approached the
heavy-striking son of Baedan, who was then bent in a mighty huge
arch* over Congal, ready to tie and fetter him with the girdle of his
sword, and the bands of his shield. Conan made a hard blow of his
sword at Conall exactly opposite his heart, and the furious-puissant
son of Baedan did not feel the blow until it had cleft his breast and
heart in twain, so that the body of the hero fell to the ground in one
wide-gaping wound !

So far the rencounter of Conall and Congal, and the aid of Conan
to Congal in the Battle of Magh Rath.

Howbeit, the two royal heroes, Conan and Congal, had not time
to exhibit the trophy [head] of Conall, before the aiding sword of
all, namely, Cellach, the son of Maelcobha, came up to the scene of
the contest to defend the head of Conall against the heroes, and pre-
vent them from carrying it off as a trophy eastwards across the mound
from the hosts. Authors relate that during that day none of the
great descendants of Niall were slain and exulted over, to whom Cel-
lach

pin, mapmap eipioe icip fDua^ ocup (in the possession of the Duke ofDevon-

popcaoo, L e. "there is a bridge at that shire), foL 107. The term pouaj-oopup

city, which is constructed of marble, both is often applied to a circular- headed door-

in its arches and pillars." — BookofLitmore .way. — See the same MS. foL 156.

262

fin, gan Celiac t)o coy^nam a cmt), ocuf o'aire a poobao, 00 pcip
map popjleif in c-ujoap :

Nip cuic pij na puipe peio

Yci laice pin, 00 claino Neill,
nac coipenat) Celiac cam
a copcap CO n-a Digail.

Qn can ac connac Conjal Celiac 05 a lapmoipecc, ocup o'd
innpaijiD, po imjaib m c-ina6 pin, ocup po mopaij mat) ele 'nap
paoil ponn map Chellac t)'a coimppejpa, no mal map mac TTlaile-
coba Da cuppachao. Oip ap eat) ba cecpaio t)o Conjal, Da com-
Dunra cpo caoac na cac-lacpaij m aen mao aip ocup ap a com-
Dalca, nac buD peap aice a anpalca, na Diosalra a Depce na a
DimiaDa ap Domnall, na ajpa eapbaDa popba na n-Ullcac, .1. Cpic
Conaill ocupGogain, ocupQipjiall ap Cenel Conaill; conaD aipe
pin, po accuipepcap cuinjioecr na cac-larpaij ap Conan Rod pa
comppejpa Cellaij. CiD pil ann rpa, ba conpaDaiD Celiac ma
Conan aj cochaD ap a cinD ip m cach-sleo pm, lap na imgabail
D'aipD-pi5 UlaD, uaip ba cpaD cpaiDe le Celiac in po pa Doig leip
DO paep-clanDa poiceneoil nepc-clomDe Neill Do cuppacaD Do
Conjal, an cem Do beic pium ocup Conan aj comppe^pa a ceile.
ConiD ann pm po canupcap Celiac, ap puipeac peiceamain D'd
n-Dlijeann Duip-biDba Depb-piaca Duic-pi cochaD ap mo cmD-pa \a
cac-lacaip pi, uaip baD luaD lerrpuim lec-eDapjaipe laicpec
ecip Congal ocup Conall cu, maD cop rpapra. Qmen cena, ni map
jac ni DO neoc a rigepna Do cepapjam gan ciuj-ba, na a piop-capa
D'poipicin ap eicm icip, a Cellaij, ap Conan. baijim-pi bpiacap
Dno, a pig-mileD, nac d'ic r'palaD, ma c'ampiaca, ina c*ecpaice,

canja-pa

^ No kin^ or dexterous chief had /aSen. that there was an older aoconnt of the
— ^Hi euie P15 na puipe p£i6. — This shows Battle of Magh Bath than the present.

263

lach did not come to prevent their heads from being carried away in
triumph, and to revenge their wounds, as the author testifies :

"No king or dexterous chief had fallen"*
On that day, of the race of Niall,
Whose trophy Cellach, the comely.
Did not protect and revenge."

When Congal perceived Cellach in pursuit of him, and approach-
ing him, he avoided the place where he was, and sought another
whither he thought a bulwark like Cellach would not come to respond
to him, or a chief like the son of Maelcobha would not subdue him ;
for Congal thought that should he and his foster-brother [Cellach]
become the centre of attraction to the brave encircling bulwarks on
the field of battle, that there would not be a man to revenge his animo-
sities, or to avenge the loss of his eye, or his indignities onDomhnall,
or to dispute the curtailment of the Ultonian territory, namely, the
countries of Tir Conaill andTir Eoghain, and Airghialla, with the Cinel
Conaill ; wherefore he left the leadership of the battle-field to Conan
Rod for the purpose of responding to Cellach; but Cellach was more
furious than Conan in pressing on the combat, after the king of Ulster
had fled him, for it was vexation of heart to Cellach to think of the
number of the noble free-bom mighty race of Niall which he thought
would be discomfited by Congal, while he himself and Conan should
be contending with each other* Then Cellach said, " It is the waiting
of a debtor who owes a bitter enemy just debts, for thee to wait for
me on this battle-field, for thou hast just now very unjustly and un-
fairly interposed between Congal and Conall." . " Be it so indeed, O
Cellach," said Conan ; " a person should not act in the ordinary way
to save his lord from destruction, or to defend his true friend in diffi-
culty ; and I swear by my word, O royal warrior, that it was not to
revenge thy animosity, thy trespasses, or thy enmity that I have come

against

264

capja-pa pioc-ya a pij-mao, ind po coraigep ap t)o cmo ip mlo
baja-pa aniu. baijim-pi bpiarap eim, a pij-mileo, a Conam, ap
Celiac, mana ica-pa c'anpolca no c'cmpiaca piom-pa ip m coim-
epjail cara pa ip m cpac pa, noca n-icpai6 t)ia eip co epic cmnce,
coiccinn, cein-eipepji caic. 6io6 a pip ajao-pa, ap Conan, nac
cupcap poppppaic ap pemoeo, uaip ni baij bpiarpa ajao-pa bdirep
pep-jlonna pip-laic, ap Conan, ocup ni puachao puijill aiceip palao
ap epcapaio eoip ^ci^'^^l'^ ^o BV^V- ^^ pecap-pa imoppo m ni
pm, a Chonam, ap Celiac, ocup Ono, bioo a piop ajao-pa, an ci o'a
n-olijap an oail, ocup ap a n-ajuprap oeipb-piaca, ap oiop ocup
ap 0I1510 Do upnaiore pe h-iappam na h-a^pa, ocup pe pep puap-
afoe na pala ; ocup ono, aj po cucac-pa an ceo upcap, ap pe, aj
cpachao na cpaipije o'd h-arcop uaoa 5aca cepc-Dipje co Conan.
Canjaoap cpiap bparap babac, bpaicemla, bpecnac do cer-mumn-
cep Conain enp e ocup an r-upcop, j. cpi meic Depbbparap a acap,
.1. cpi meic iDa I, mic Qili TTleabpuaiD, .i. Rep, ocup Ul, ocup Qp-
rup, a n-anmanna ; ocup canjaDup a rpiup co n-DeipiDecap Dpuim
ap Dpuim ap cepc-belaib Conain enp e ocup an c-upcup. Ro peo-
laD ocup po peoeD cpuaD-upcop cpaipige Cellaij cuca ceca cepc-
Dipje, jup bo Doippi Debra Dian-cpeccaca bpuinneaDa na m-bpec-
nac, ap j-coirhcpesaD cuipp ceca cupaD rpia n-a ceile, ocup ap
pcolraD a pceir ap a pcar-bpuinDi. Qcc cena, mp roipmepc cop-
jamn, rupaip, na ceccaipecca to cpuaiD-upcop cpaipi^e Cellaij
an rpiup pm do ruicim D'a rpen-^um, no jup gab gpmni na ple^a
jpeim jabaD i Conan ap cepc-lap a inne ocup a inarap, ap pcolcao
a pceir. Ip ann pin cuimmgep Conan a peace piojba po-jupmap,
ocup po gab m car<paipec cecr.a, ocup accuipip i ap culaD co

Celiac,

'^Person qftrkom the retribution is due, — ^ Three sons ofldhal^ the son ofAiHi. —
Qn CI o'a n-olipjap an oail. — This is in the Cpi mic loail mic QiUe. — Are these
technical language of the Brehon Laws. ideal personages ?

26s

against thee, or that I have opposed thee this day on which I have
swom." ** I also swear by my word, O royal warrior, O Conan," said
Cellach, " that unless thou wilt pay thy animosities or debts to me
in this contest on this occasion, thou shalt never pay them hereafter,
until the general fate which awaits all after their resurrection." " Be
it known to thee," said Conan,*" that a hero cannot be dismayed,
and that thy threatening words will not extinguish the manly valour
of a true champion," said Conan, " and it is not abusive language
that will always revenge spite on an enemy amongst the Gaels."
" I know that thing well, O Conan," said Cellach, "and be it likewise
known to thee, that the person of whom the retribution is due", and
of whom just debts are demanded, it behoves him, and he is bound to
petition in seeking the demand, and to seek it of the man who owes
the spite ; and here, therefore, is the first shot towards thee," said he,
brandishing his spear, and casting it directly at Conan. Three aflfec-
tionate British relatives of Conan's chief people came between him
and the shot, namely, the three sons of his father's brother, to wit,
the three sons of Idhal, the son of Ailli° Meadhruadh, namely, Ees,
Ul, and Arthur by name, and the three came so that they stood
back to back before Conan, and between him and the shot. The
vigorous shot of the spear of Cellach was directed and driven straight
towards them, so that the breasts of these Britons were battle-doors
of severe wounds, the body of each champion being respectively
pierced, their shields which defended their breasts having been cleft
asunder, Howbeit, the intended object of the vigorous shot of Cel-
lach's spear was not checked by the fall of these three, occasioned by
the great wounds it inflicted, nor until the head of the spear dange-
rously entered Conan in the very middle of his entrails and bowels,
his shield having been cleft. Then Conan, calling to mind his own
great regal prowess, took the same battle-spear and cast it back at
iBisH ABCH. 80C. 6. 2 M Ccllach •

266

Celiac, CO canjaoap rpiap cojaioe, cul-bopb, cuaipcepcac Do cineo
QenjuiHi, imc Conaill, .i. Gochaioh, ocup Qnluan, ocup Qiljenan,
a n-annianna, ocup canjaoap na cpiup co n-DepiDecap opuim ap
Dpuim, ap cepc-belaib Cellaij, ecip e ocup Conan; ocup po oip^eb,
ocup po oej-peolat) cpua6-upcap cuca caca cepc-bipje, jjup coll-
cpejepcaip in cpiup cul-bopb Cuaipceprac, enp coppaib ocup
car-pceicib; cm cpa ace, mp b'upcap inDipje Do cpuaD-cpaipij
ConaiT) an rpiup pm Do cuinm D*d cpom-juin, co n-DechaiD in Daijip
Diubpaicci cpe eipp imcail impulainj iccapac cac-pceic comnepc
caca an caem-cupaiD Cellaij, mic ITlailcoba, ^up cpeagDapcaip
cpe na cpoijce ocup i calmain. Nip ba ceannpaijce Celiac an
cpiup pm DO cuicim ^an anaD jan puipec ma piaDnaipe, ocup mp
pecupcap Do cpom-5um a cpoijceD aj mnpaijiD a epcapac, ocup
pop ; mp ciunaiDe Conan ag innpaijiDCellaij a muincep Do mapbaD
ocup a cpom-juin ap cup. Rucpac Da eicim eDcpoma, pip-luaca,
1 cepc-comDail a cele, map Do paijicip, ocup map Do papaijicip,
ocu[» map Do baejlxxijicip Da bpoDcoin bopba, biapcaiDe, boDbac,
a con-maepa coimeDa ap 5-coimclipeD D'd com-iallaib cuibpije pe
h-ainpepce a n-aicenca. Do cuaiD in compac a h-inaD eDcpana nd
h-eaDapjaipe lapcain, co nap cuimjecop a caipDe na a ceicepnn a
ciunu^aD ind a cecmnpu5aD, a cobaip ma a compopcacc, pe bpuc,
ocup pe buipbe, ocup pe biapcamlacc na m-beichpe m-boDba pm,
05 combpij^eD compaic ocup comlamn ap a ceile, laip na jlepaib
japja, 5lomn-mepa, jaibceca jaipceD, po jabpacap 1 cenDaib, ocup
1 cacbappaib caema cumDaijce a ceile, gop bo lion-bpac leDapac,
lan-Depcc cemn-bepci comgela jaca cupaD, Do coimeajap cloiDem
ocup cpaipec ap a ceile ; jup ab e aipmiD u^Daip gup b'lncoiDecca

D'pepaib

P Race ofAenguSj the son ofConatt. — Conall Gulban.-JSee genealogical table of
t>o cineo Qenyupa mic ConaiU. — That the descendants of Conall Gulban, at the
is, of the race of Aengus Gundat, son of end of this volume.

267

Cellach ; upon which three distinguished impetuous northerns of the
race of Aengus, the son of Conall*', namely, Eochaidh, Anluan, and
Ailghenan, advanced, and stood one behind the other, directly opposite
Cellach, and between him and Conan; but the vigorous shot of Conan
was aimed and directed straight towards them, so that the three fierce
northerns were pierced, both bodies and shields, yet the shot of the
hard spear of Conan was not diverted from its line of motion by the
fall of these three men by its wounds, nor was it stopped until the
projected blade passed through the narrow lower extremity of the
strong warlike shield of the comely hero Cellach, son of Maelcobha,
and piercing his feet stuck in the ground. Cellach did not become
the more tame on account of the rapid and sudden fall of these three
in his presence ; he did not look to the deep wounds of his feet in
attacking his enemy ; nor was Conan the calmer in facing Cellach,
because that his people had been wounded and killed in the first
place. They made two light and rapid springs towards each other,
as two fierce, monstrous, blood-thirsty hounds would advance on,
overpower, and endanger their watchful keepers from the animosity
of their nature, after having broken the thongs that bound them.
The battle soon after went beyond interposition or intermeddling, so
that their friends or kernes** were unable to quiet or calm them, or
assist or relieve them, such was the impetuosity, fierceness, and dex-
terity of these sanguinary bears in pressing the conflict and combat
on each other, with the fierce, vigorous, dangerous passes of valour
which they made at each other's heads and beautiful defensive hel-
mets, so that the bright headpiece of both heroes was like a mangled,
blood-stained piece of linen, from their mutual hacking of swords and

spears

** Kernes were the light-armed ancient Vlll., written A. D. 1543, by the Lord
Irish soldiers. For a curious description Deputy St. Ledger, see note I at the end
of the Irish kernes, in the reign of Henry of this volume.

2 M 2

268

t)'pepaib Gpenn ocuf Qlban po baijin peicme, ocup pogluma, ocup
aiqiipi peime, ocup po-ppepcail, ocup ppeajapca na pij-mileD pin
ap apoile, pe cpuap, ocup pc cpooacc, ocup pe cobpaoacc a
5-comloinn; pe cpeipe, ocup pe cpuime, ocup pe calcaipecc a
D-cpot)ae; pe h-oll ace, ocup pe h-oibni, ocup pe h-acloime na
h-iTOjona; pe h-eiriie, ocup pe h-uploirhe, ocup pe h-apnamecc an
imbuailce ; pe olup, ocup pe Diocpacr, ocup pe Duaibpioe Deabra
na t)eipi oej-laec pm ; uaip nip b'airiiippec UlaiD ocup allmapaig
CO TO-bab pompa bu6 paen, t>a mat) e Celiac conciuclai poi ; pip
Gpenn ono, ba Idn-Deimin leo-pmein co m-bao e Congal oo cloio-
piOe, t)a mat) e Conan conciucluipci. ConaD aipe pin, po puipijecap
6pennai5 ocup allmapaij cen imbualao o'pobaipc na o'lmluao
ecoppa, cenmora Gonial Claen nama; 510 eipiDem, nip ba ciunaioe
car-lairpeca Conjail ag innpaije ui Qinmipec, 00 Dijail a 6epce,
ocup a bimiaoa, cac 00 compcup o'a 5-comlannaib, pe compecchao
an compaic pm.

Imchupa na oeipi oeg-laec pm, o cup a D-cpooa co ofpccup na
Deabca, cona6 paibe aj ceccap oib pm pip in pe pm impopcpaio po
b'maipme, na cinoeb comloinn po b'lnajpa, na po b'mcommaiDrhe 00
cac-mileoaib ap a ceile, cenmoca cet)-upcap Chellaij ap Conan,
ocup in c-inao m po puipeb ppub-jpmne pleiji Conam txx ceo-upcaip
ap Cheallac. Qcr cena, ni bi ouine ap ooman jan a poo upoalca
aipcennca oi6e6a o'upmaipi, 5m 50 paibe caca, capaio, nd epbaioe
enjnama aip, 00 peip map popjlep an c-ujoap, amail pem-epepc-
maip:

'Cpi pot)am nac pecancap, "|c.

Conat) aipe pin, cac ouine Dana oepb-cinniD a poo upoalca aip-

cmnci oioeoa o'upmaipi, cen co paibe caca, capaiO, na uipeapbaio

engnama aip, ceagaio beog-app&ena bdip aga buaiopeo, ocup ago

bpac-aimpiugao, 00 peip map ip comapca cinnci pe cam oepbao na

camjm

269

spears on each other ; so that authors relate that it was worth the
while of the men of Erin and Alba to come to observe, and study,
and imitate the parrjdngs, guardings, and responses of these royal
heroes to each other, such was their hardiness, valour, and firmness
in the combat; the strength, weight, and puissance of their fight; the
expertness, rapidity, and activity of their fighting; the swiftness,
readiness, and severity of their blows ; the closeness, diligence, and
vehemence of the struggle of the two brave heroes. For the Ulto-
nians and foreigners did not doubt, but that they themselves would
be triumphant should Cellach be defeated; and the men of Erin
were certain that Congal would be defeated if Conan should be
conquered. Wherefore the men of Erin and the foreigners desisted
from the battle to look on at the combat between them, except Con-
gal Claen alone; but he was not the calmer in making his way
through the battle-field to attack the grandson of Ainmire, to revenge
the loss fl/his eye and his indignity upon him, because all the others
had ceased from their encounters to look on at the combat.

With respect to these two great heroes, from the beginning of the
contest to its termination, neither of them had, during all that time,
a superiority worth mentioning or an advantage worthy of being
claimed or boasted of by warriors, except the first shot made by
Cellach at Conan, and the injury inflicted by the head of Conan's
spear on the place it struck Cellach in the first shot. But as the
author testifies, and as we have said before, there is not a man in the
world for whom his certain and fixed place of death is not pre-
ordained, even though he should have no want of vigour, or lack of

valour:

" Three things cannot be shunned," &c.

Wherefore, every one for whom his certain and fixed place of
death is predestined, even though he should have no want of vigour
or lack of valour, is visited there by the startling omens of death

which

270

cainjm fin, J. aipp6ena ocuf f&na aiTnpigci Conain ip in compac
pin, D'ap pap, ocup t)'ap laoupcap poir-nell popg-Dibepra paoaipc
cap imDoippib a imcaipi. Qcbepaic apoile gup ba h-iac apo-nafrii
Gpenn 00 bepeo pmn a paoaipc ocup a puipc o Conan, 00 cobaip^
Cellaij ip m compac pm. Qcr cena ni h-amlam pm puapaoap
au^oaip cuma ocup compuiDeD an compaic pn i laf-jleanoaib
leabap, ocuj» i lleimo ler-jealaib licepba lan-com^iDici ^aca
cam^ni, ace ^op ab laD ciplinm, mm, ocup macaip Conain ap na
cpiarpaD ocup ap na comcoUaD Do ceo-upcop Cellaij ip m cotn-
pac, ocup caipi, ocup caiTh-nella o'a aimpiugao ap a lop, o'op pap,
ocup Dap laDapcap popbaipc popccioe, pipDopca Dap pumneo^aib
popooippiDe paipcpena na plara.

CiD rpacc, 6 po aipi^picap Celiac ap Conan a beitc co DalU
popcac DipaDaipc, m DepnaiD pium ace a ceachcaD ocup a cim-
cellaD, a poipcceD, ocup a apm-aiplcc po comup ocup pa comDil-
mame a cuipp, gup cuic in car-miliD Conan ina lechib leaDaipci,
jup ob ma laiji laech-mileD po cippaD ocu]» po col^-DicennaD
Conan la Cellach.

ConaD e pm aen compac ip pepp mm pic eolaij ap cac TTluiji
Rac. Deichbip on Doib, ap ip D615 ip Do Dfpcup Debca na Depi
Dej-lacc pin pucaD Da cpian a n-epnDmaip ocup a n-enpiuma o
allmapacaib map ac conncaDap cenD Conain '56 cpacoD ocup a
copcap 5a commaiDem oc Celiac, do peip map popjlep m c-ujDap:

Do cuaiD d' allmapcaib a n-jpam
a h-aicli mapbca Conam,
map buD e a n-engnum uile
DO cuipcea a copp aen-Duine.

^ Omens and pangs Many similar anec- believed in fatality or predestination. —

dotes are told in different parts of Ireland, See also p. 172, note ^, where there is
which tend to show that the ancient Irish another strong allusion to the belief in

which disturb and attaxjk him, as was illustrated here by the omens
and pangs' which attacked Conan in this combat, for whom a whirling
cloud grew and closed around the inlets of his sight and observation.
Others assert that it was the chief saints of Erin that took away his
sight and power of his eyes from Conan, to assist Cellach in this
combat But, however, it was not thus that authors have found* the
form and arrangement of this combat on the poetical pages of books,
and in the plain context of the written narrative of each event ; but
that it was the bowels and entrails of Conan that were riddled and
pierced by CeUach's first shot in the combat, and that in consequence
mists and death-clouds came upon him, which closed a dark and
gloomy veil over the open inlet windows of that prince's sight.

Howbeit, when Cellach observed that Conan was dim-sighted
and blind, he did nothing but close upon him and press him by the
mighty force of his arms and body, so that the warrior Conan fell
down a mangled corse, and as he lay, a conquered champion, he was
mutilated and beheaded by Cellach.

This was the best combat which the learned mention during the
Battle of Magh Rath, and the reason is, that it is certain that it was
in consequence of the combat between these two great heroes that
the foreigners lost the two-thirds of their bravery and vigour, when
they saw the head of Conan shook, and exultingly carried off as a
trophy by Cellach, as the author testifies :

" From the foreigners departed their valour

After the killing of Conan,

As if the valour of them all

Had been centred in the body of one man."

predestination. passage proves that the writer had several

* Not thus that auiliors have found, — Mi and conflicting accounts of this battle, from
h-ainlaio f in puapaoap au^oaip. — This which he drew up the present account

272

Qp ann fin Do piaccarap oa coonac cleap-apmaca 00 luce
peicme pceiu yii^ Ulao Do caiuearh a s-coimpeipse yie Celiac, .1.
peayimopc TTliabac ocup Giccneac Oipjiallac, ocup cucpac a
b-peiDm 1 n-einpeacc, ocup Do paiceaDap Da pleaj 50 5-caelaib a
5-cpann 1 Celiac, gup bo leip inDprnaba na n-apm rpe eppanaib na
n-dlao ip in raeb ba paiDe o n-a jop-jorhaib. Ppicailip Celluc na
cneaoa pin, jup pagaib a pleapa 50 pleaj-roll ocup a cinn 50 cpecc-
naijui, ocup a cuipp coriicpeajua, ocup Do pmni copaip cpo Do na
cupabaib D'a eip.

Ro eipgeacop lapum Diap coDnac cpur-aloinn eili do caicearii a
coirhpeipge pe Celluc, .1. Opcup Qca in eic, ocup TTlupchab, mac
TTlaenaij, ocup po paiceaDap na pleaja Daingni Duaibpiuca inn, pip
b'lonparhail cleiui rpe cupcaip peanna na pleaj cpep an pliop
apaill DO Chelluc. Qicip Celluc na cneaba pin D'lmlaiD aclaim,
ainijneac, ocup do pjainnip piocDa apmac, ainDpeanDa, ocup do
cuip a cmD ip in copaip cara ceDna. lap pin painic Riajan, pi Ruip
Cille, ocup Cuban Duiblmne, cup m lacaip 1 m-boi Celluc, ocup
canjaDap le Da juin ainmfne ainiapnmpraca paip in empeacr ; po
ppeajaip Celluc comafn a jona Do jac aen Dib. lap pin painic
Cpealrhac na cpoDa ocup Ceapnac Cop-paDa ip m cau-lauaip
ceDna co Celluc, ocup rujaDap Da guin ceapca, comDainjne ap an
cac-mileD, ocup Da popgarii ainiapmapraca ap an aippiD, ocup Da

cpuaiD-beim

^ FermorCj Miadhach^ and Eigvieeh^ the
AirgiaUian. — peapmopc, TTliaDac, ocup
Siyneach Oipjiallach^ — These are not
to be found in the Annals or Pedigrees of
the Clanna Eudhraighe.

^ Orckury of Ath an eichy and Murchadhy
the 9on ofMaenach, — Opcup Qra an Gic,

ocup TTlupchao, mac TTlaenai^ The

Editor has not been able to find any ac-

count of this Orchur in any other autho-
rity. There are many places in Ireland
called Ath an eich^ which signifies ford of
the horse, but nothing remains to deter-
mine which of them is here referred to.

^ Riagan, king of Bos CiUe Ria^an

pi Puip Cille. The Editor has not been
able to find this Riagan in the authentic
Annals, and therefore suspects that he is a

273

It was then that two chieftains, dexterous at arms of those who
attended on the shield of the king of Ulster, came on to expend their
anger on Cellach, namely, Fermorc, Miadhach, and Eignech the Air-
giallian^ They made their attack together, and thrust two spears to
the narrow parts of their handles into Cellach, so that the joining of
the iron to the shafts of the spears was to be seen through the ex-
tremities of the wounds in the side farthest from the strikers. Cellach
responded to these thrusts, so that he left their sides pierced with
his spear, their heads woimded, and their bodies rent, and he after-
wards made a gorey heap of carnage of these heroes.

After this, two other chieftains of beautiful form rose up to ex-
pend their rage on Cellach, namely, Orcur, of Ath an eich", and Mur-
chadh, the son of Maenach, and they thrust their firm and terrible
spears into him, so that the points of the spears passed through Cellach's
other side,like stakes [thorns?] through a bulrush [cupcaip?]. Cellach
revenged these wounds by an expert and venomous exchange of woimds,
and by a fierce and furious onset, and laid their heads into the same
carnage of battle. After this Riagan, king of Ros Cille^, and Dubhan, of
Dublin'', advanced to the spot where Cellach was, and inflicted two
fierce and terrible blows at him together; and Cellach returned to each
the favour of his woimd. After this Trelmhach of the Fight* and
Cemach the Longshanked^ advanced to Cellach to the same spot of
contention, and made two direct firm blows at the warrior, and two
tremendous thrusts at the chieftain, and two hard-levelling strokes at

the

fictitious character. It should have been Dubhan of Dublin is also probably a fie-

mentioned in a note, which was accidentally titious character, at least no other monu-

omitted, on the word " bulrush" above, ment of his existence has been discovered

that in all the Irish dictionaries cupcaip but this story.

is explained hair^ a bulrush; but it is to be * Trealmhach of the Fight, — Cpealiiiac

feared, from the simile above made, that na Cpooa, is not to be found in the au-

the word had some other meaning. thentic Irish annals.

"^Dubhan ofDtMin t) uban t)ublinne, ^ Cemach Hie Longshanked, — Ceapnac h

IBISH ARCH. SOG. 6. 2 N

274

cpiiam-beim rpafjapca oo'n rpen-peap. ppicailip Celiac na
cneaba pn, 50 pop pajaip na D-uamnaib pgailre fcior-poinnce
laD, ocup DO cuip a cinou if in copaip caua cecna. Ranjaoap
lapcam na peace TTlailniaijniu ocup Daipbpi, mac Doppriiaip, pij
Ppanjc ip m cac-lacaip cerna co Celiac, ocup uucaDap occ n-jona
cpici o'a roipneab, ocup occ D-uoim&eana reanna o'a cpaechaD.

Ro cpomupcap Celiac a cenn, ocup po pucc^rS ^^^ ^^ ipS^ii^ FPT
an anpoplann, ocup po ceapjapm na laeic o'd luaic-beimeanoaib,
jop bo bpopna bobba, bioc-ainrheac, gac C0I5 ocup jac cpuab-ja,
ocup 5op bo combpuici jac copp, ocup jjop bo coirhcioppra jac
caeb, ocup nip bo h-iao na cmD no comopbaba ceuna pop comluib
pop cula DO piDipi, uaip pujupcap Celiac a 5-cinn ap na 5-corhai-
pem, ocup a j-copgaip ap na j-coThmaiberii laip co h-aipm 1 paibe
P15 6peann, ocup po caippeanapcap a rpeap gan cuipeal o'd cpiac,
ocup a beajjan baejail o'd bpacaip, ocup aipipip pein a^ Dion ocup
aj Duip-peirerii pceir pig 6penn ap a h-aicli.

6a ip m la pin do pala Do bannupacc Ulcam Larh-paDa, pij
Chaeilli na j-Cupab, ppip a n-abapcap Oipceap ^yax) am pa, aj De-
num pliuccaemna poilcci ocup porpaicri 1 n-Dun Qbmainn 1 D-Uip
O' m-6peapail, ocup ap amlaiD po bof mac pip an baile ina obloip,
ocup ina eippecc, .1. Cuanna, mac Ulcain Lam-paDa, ocup po ba
Dalca Do pij 6penn e, .1. Do Domnall, mac QeDa, mic Qinmipec,
no 50 D-uugab aicni gup bo h-oinmiD e, ocup an ran ru5ab, a Dub-
pab pip Dul Do cij a acap, ap nip miab lap an pig Dalca ommiDe

Cop-pooo, is not to be found in the au- Probus, in the seoond book of his Life of

thentic annals, and is probably a fictitious St Patrick, calls this territory Be^ Ori-

personage. entalium^ which is a literal translation of

^SevenMailmaighne^s, — Na f echc TTlail- its usual Irish xiame Cpioc na n-Oipcecp.

mai^niu. — The Editor has found no ao- It was so caUod because it was in the east

count of them in any other authority. of the country of Oirghialla.

* Caill nag-Curadh.—Noyr the barony of •» Tir m-BreasaiL — This territory is

Orior, in the east of the county of Armagh, frequently called also Clann BreasaiL It

275

the mighty man. Cellach responded to these wounds, and left them
mangled, mutilated trunks, and cast their heads into the former heap
of carnage. After this the seven Mailmaighne's* and Dairbre, the son
of Dommar, king of the Franks, advanced to the same spot of con-
tention to fight Cellach, and quickly inflicted eight wounds to pull
him down, and eight firm blows to subdue him. Cellach stooped
his head, and pressed the fight on the unequal number, and so plied
the heroes with his rapid strokes, that their swords and hard darts
were a bloody, broken heap, and every one of their bodies was bruised,
and every side mangled, and they were not the same heads or repre-
sentatives that had come first that returned back again, for Cellach
carried off their heads with him after having coimted them, and their
trophies after having exulted over them, to where the king of Erin
was, and exhibited the fruits of his honourable exploits to his lord,
and the inconsiderable injury he had received to his relative, and
he afterwards remained protecting the king of Erin and attending on
his shield.

On this day it happened that the women of Ultan the Longhanded,
king of Caill na g-Curadh*, which is now called Oirthear, were pre-
paring a bath for washing and bathing, at Dun Adhmainii, in Tir O
m-BreasaiP, and the son of the proprietor of the place, namely,
Cuaima, son of Ultan Lamhfhada, was an idiot and an orphan. He
had been as a foster-child with the king of Erin, Domhnall, son of
Aedh, son of Ainmire, xmtil it was discovered that he was an idiot ;
but when this was observed, he was told to go home to his father's

house,

is shown on an old map of Ulster, pre- Iveagh, and on the north-east and east by

served in the State Paper Office, as situated the territory of Eallulta, now included

in the north-east of the county of Armagh, in the county of Down. In the reign

and bounded on the north by Lough of Queen Elizabeth, Turlogh Brassilogh

Neagh, on the west by the Upper Bann, O'Neill was chief of this territory,
on the south by Magennis's country of

2N2

276

DO beir aije. CI Dubaipc imoppo a leap-macaip pe Cuanna oul
cap ceann cuaile connaib Do cum an poilcio an la pin. Do chuoiD
lapum Cuanna po'n 5-coill, ocup cue leip cual Do rhaepcdn, ocup
Do cpionpluic, ocup Do bapp beice, puaip a lacachaib ocup m oc-
pachaib, ocup Do cuip popp an ceinneb an chuail, ocup jep b'olc
an ceinneD poiriie, po bab meapa laporh. Olc an cupcupca an
cual cuccaip leac, a Chuanna, pop na mna, ocup ap cubaiD cop-
mail ppic pein ; ocup a cpuaij ! ap piaD, m cu an mac panjup a
leap ann po amu, ace mac Do cum^enaD le a acaip ocup le a oiDe
ip in lo baj;a pa, uaip acd Congal co n-a Ullcaib ocup 50 n-a allmu-
pacaib D'd mapbab ocup D'd mububab pe pe laici, ocup do c'acaip-pi
painic cacujab an laoi ane, ocup m peaDamaip-ni an cepna app no
nac D-cepno. Ro piappaib Cuanna cia Do bepaD eolup bam-pa co
TTlaj Rac? Qp beg an meipneac Duic-piu eolup Do bpeic ann, ap
piaD, .1. Dul CO h-lobap Cinn Coice, mic Neaccain, ppip a paicep
lobap cinn cpaja an can pa, ocup po geba plicc paibbip na poch-
aibe ann, ocup lean 50 ITlaj Rac e.

Rainic Cuana poime ma peim po-peaca ap pliocc paiDbip na
ploj, CO painicc TTlaj Rac, ocup ac conaipc na caca commopa
ceccapDa aj coimeipge i 5-ceann a ceile. Q m-bacap pip 6penn
ann ac concaDup an c-oen Duine D'd n-ionnpoi je ip m maj a n-iap-
Deap jaca n-Dipeac, ocup po puipibpec ppip jup aicmjecap e.
Cuanna obloip, ol peap Dib, Cuanna oinmiD ann, ap an Dapa pep.
Ni po bejj D'abbop puipib ann, ap an cpep peap. 5^PP ^"S cpac,
paimcc Cuanna 50 h-aipm a poibe pij Gpeann. peapaip an pij
pailce ppip. TTlaic, a anam, a Chuanna, ap pe, ciD una canjaip
cujjamn amu ? Do conpiam leac-pa, a aipD-pi, bap Cuanna, ocup

* lobhar Chinn Tragha. — lobap Chmn west of the county of Down, and is well
Cpdja. — This is the present Irish name of known in every part of Ireland where the
the town of Newry, situated in the south- Irish language is spoken. It is understood

277

hoiise, for the king did not think it becoming to have an idiot as a
foster-son. His step-mother told Cuanna on this day to go for a
bundle of fire-wood for the bath. Cuanna went to the wood and
brought with him a bundle of green twigs, and of dried sticks, and
the top branches of birch which he found in puddles and ordures,
and put them on the fire ; and though the fire had been bad before,
it was worse after this. " The fire-wood thou hast brought with thee
is a bad present, Cuanna," said the women, " and it is becoming
and like thyself; and alas !" said they, " thou art not the kind of a
son we stand in need of having here to-day, but a son who would
assist his father and his fosterer, on this day of battle ; for Congal,
with his Ultonians and foreigners, has been killing and overwhelm-
ing them these six days ; and it was thy father's turn to fight yes-
terday, and we know not whether he has or has not survived."
Cuanna asked, " Who will show me the way to Magh Rath ?" " It
requires but little courage in thee to find out the way thither," said
they ; " go to lobhar China Choiche mhic Neachtain, which is now
called lobhar Chinn Tragha*^, where thou shalt find the abimdant
track of the hosts, and follow it to Magh Rath."

Cuanna came forward in rapid course, on the strong track of
the hosts, till he arrived at Magh Rath, where he saw the great
forces of both parties attacking each other. As the men of Erin were
there they saw one lone man in the plain approaching them exactly
from the south-west, and they ceased till they recognized him. " He
is Cuanna, the idiot," said one of them ; " he is Cuanna, the fool,"
said a second man ; " it was no small cause of waiting," said a third
man. In a short time Cuanna came on to where the king of Erin
was. The king bade him welcome. " Good, my dear Cuanna," said

he;

to mean the yew at the head of the strand. — Choiche^ is used in the Annals of the Four
The more ancient name, Mhar Chinn Masters, at the year 1236.

278

DO cpapgaiyic ap Congal, cio comalca Dam e. dp coip Duir-p

ciD a b'peapcapa, bap pig 6peann, do cuid Do'n cac pa Do cpuab-

ugaD ma ajjaiD, uaip do mapb Conjal c'acaip ap cacujab an laei

ane. Ro h-imDepgab im Chuanna ag a cloipcecc pin, ocup a

peab po paib, cabaip apm Dam, a aipD-pi, ocup bpiarap Dam 50

n-DmgebaD peap comlomn ceD D'd b-puil i c'ajaib aniu. Cucpac

cac gdip mop panarhaicc op apD aj cloipcecc Chuana. Qcbepc

Cuanna ppiu, Do beipim pdm' bpeicep, ap pe. Da D-ceajmaDaip

aipm no il-paebaip uplama agom, 50 n-Digeolainn ap Dpeim eijin

agaib panamaD do beanurh pum. dec icip, ap Domnall, na cuj

Do c'uib no DO c'aipe laD, ocup ag po an Dapa jai ceilccci puil

ajam-pa Duic, ocup 'p f an cpeap pleag ap peapp aca 1 n-6ipinn 1,

.1. an c-pleaj a ca 'na pappaD, ocup an 5a 5^^PP Conjail, oip ni

cabapcup upcop n-impaill do ceccap Dib. ^^^^r ^^ oinmiD an

c-pleaj, ocup cpaicip f 1 b-piaDnaipi an pig, ocup acbepc co n-Dinj-

nab ecc bub maic leip an pig bi. lonnpoij; 50 h-aipm a b-puil

TTlaelDuin, mac QeDa beannan, mac pij Deig-peiceamanca Deap-

muman, ag a b-puilic a aipm pein ocup aipm a bpacap po mapbab

le Congal ap cacugab na CeDaine po do chuaib copamn, uaip ap

combalca Duic pein e, ocup Do bepa puilleb aipm Duic ap mo

5pab-pa, ocup ap mipcaip Congail. dp ann pm painic Cuanna

poime CO h-aipm i paibe TTlaelDum, mac Qeba beannan, ocup cuj

puilleb aipm Do 1 cecoip.

T?o eipi5 an laec laiDip, laimcenac luac-jonac, ocup an beicip
beoba, bpaic-beimniuch, .1. Conjal Claen, 50 D-capla cuije Ceann-
paelab, mac Oilellae, ocup cug beim cuimpib cpuaib-leDapcac

cloibim

^ Madduin^ the son ofAedh Bennain. — paekro mac Oilellae. — He is well known

TTlaelouin, mac Qeoa 6eanndm. — See to the lovers of Irish literature as the

note ^y pp. 22, 23. author of Uraicept na n-£iges, or Primer

^ Cenn/aeladk^ the son ofOileU. — Cenn- of the Bards, and as the commentator on

279

he ; " wherefore hast thou come to us to-day ?" " To assist thee, O
monarch," said Cuamia, " and to lay Congal prostrate, though he is
my foster-brother." " It behoves diee," said the monarch of Erin,
" though thou knowest it not, to press thy share of this battle against
Congal, for he slew thy father in yesterday's battle." Cuanna grew
red as he heard this, and said, " Give me weapons, monarch, and I
pledge my word that I will repel any fighter of a himdred men, who
is against thee this day." All gave a great shout of derision aloud on
hearing Cuanna. Cuanna said to them, " I swear by my word," said
he, " that if I had arms or edged weapons at hand, I would revenge
on some of you your having mocked me." " Not so," said Domhnall;
" take no heed or notice of them ; and here is for thee the second
missile javelin which I have to spare, and it is the third best spear
in Erin, the other two being the spear which is along with it, and
the javelin called Grearr Congail, for an erring shot cannot be given
with either of them." The idiot took the lance and brandished it in
the presence of the king, and said that he would achieve with it a
deed which would be pleasing to the king. " Go," said the king, " to
the place in which is Maelduin, the son of Aedh Bennain"*, the son
of the good-protecting king of Desmond, for he has his own weapons
and those of his brother, who was slain in last Wednesday's battle,
and he is a foster-brother to thyself, and he will give thee more
weapons for love of me and hatred of Congal." Then Cuanna went
forward to the place where Maelduin, the son of Aedh Bennain, was,
who gave him more weapons at once.

Now the robust, sanguine, rapid-wounding hero, and the lively, sure-
striking bear, Congal Claen, went forth, and was met by Cennfaeladh,
the son of Oilell*, to whom he gave a mighty, hard-smiting stroke of

his

certain laws, said to have been originaUy in the third centoiy. His death is record-
written by the monarch Cormac Mac Art, ed in the Annals of Tighemach at the

28o

cloi&im oo, gup bpip an cacbapp, jup reapj an ceann po a corhaip
CO n-uppamn oo'n mocinn ina poipleanmum; ace ceana oo cuicpeab

Ceannpaelab

year 679. Copies of hisUraicept are pre-
served in various Irish MSS. of authority,
as in the Leahhar Buidhe Leacain^ in the
Library of Trinity College, Dublin (H. 2.
1 6.) and an ancient copy of his Commentary
on King Cormac's Laws is preserved in a
vellum MS. in the Library of the Duke
of Buckingham, at Stowe, of which Dr.
O'Conor gives a minute account in his Ca-
talogue. But it is to be regretted that Dr.
O'Conor, who had no vernacular knowledge
of the Irish language, has entirely mistaken
the meaning of an interesting passage re-
lating to the poet Cennfaeladh, occurring
in that valuable MS. It appears to have
been taken from an ancient version of the
Battle of Magh Rath, for it mentions in
nearly the very words of this text, how
Cennfaeladh lost a portion of his brain in
the battle, the consequence of which was
that his intellect became more acute, and
his memory more retentive. But Dr.
O'Conor, not conceiving that there was any
thing wonderful in the matter, translates
the word inncinn, which means brain, i. e.
the matter of the brain, by the word unskil-
fulness (by a figure of speech which looks
very unnatural) ; and the word Depmaic,
which is still used in every part of Ireland
to aignify /or^etfulness, he metamorphoses
into Dermot, a man's name, thus changing
one of the three wonderful events which
the bards constantly recorded as having

happened at the Battle of Ma^h Both, into
an occurrence about which there seems
nothing remarkable.

I shall here quote the entire passage, as
far as it relates to Cennfaeladh, as it is de-
cyphered and translated by Dr. O'Conor.

" Cocc Don liubhappa t)aipe Cubpan
ocup aimpep do aimpep DomnaiU mc.
Qeoa inc. Qinmipeach ocup peppa do
CenDpaela mc. Qill. Ocup cac. a oen-
Tna a hincinD do bein a cenn chmopaela
1 k. TTlai^e Parh.

" Ceopa buoDha m k. a pin .1. maimD
op Con^l in a ^ae pia n Domnall in a
phipinDe ocup Suibne ^eilc do duI pe
^elcachc ocup a mcmn Depmaic do bein
a cmD Ciimpaela 1 k. TTlaije T^ach.

" Ip e m p opnaD buaioh mcnmD ap
Con^l m a ^ae pe n-t)omnall ma pw
pinoe, ump buamh TnaimDopmanpipen
piap an pipen.

" Ip e in p. op nabuaioh Suibne ^eilc
DO oul pe ^elcachc .1. op ap pacaibh do
lainhibh ocup do p^elaib a^ appin each
o pin ille.

<< Ip e an p. opnaobuaioh a incinn
Depmaic do bem a cmo cmopaela, uaip
ip ann do pi^hneD a lei^ap 1 cuaim ope-
cain 1 compac na rpi ppaicheo ic. ci^h-
ibh na qii puaD .1. pai penechaip ocup
pai f ilechca ocup |xii lei^ino ocup do-
neoch po chanoaip na cpi pcola canlai

28l

his sword, so that he broke the hehnet and cut the head under it, so
that a portion of the brain flowed out, and Cennfaeladh would have

fallen

[cac lai] po bioh aicepium qiia yeipe
a inoclecca cannaiohche [reete each n-
aiohche] ocup ineoch ba hincaippenca
lep oe pob. eo jlunpnaiche pin ocup po
pcpibhcha aice i cailc liubaip.

« Ho cumao hi m ceachpamaoh buam
.1. F^P opepaib Sp. ocup pep opepaib
alban do duI caipip poip janlumj, jan
eachaip .1. Duboiooh mac Oamain ocup
pep DO jaioelaib,"

Translated by Dr. O'Conor thus :

" The place of this book (i. e. where it
was written) was Daire Lubran (i. e. the
oak grove of Lubran), and its time was
when Donnald, the son of Aod, son of Ain-
mire, was king of Ireland ; and the per-
son (i e. the writer), was Cennfaelad, the
son of Ailill ; and the occasion of composing
it was because Dermoids ignorance yielded
to Cennfaelad's skill at the battle of Mo-
raith.

"Three victories were gained there.
Ck)ngal the Crooked was defeated in his
falsehood by Domnald in his truth ;* and
Subne, the Mad, ran mad on that occa-
sion ; and the imskilfulness of Dermot
yielded to the skill of Cennfaelad. The
cause of the victory of Donnald over Con-
gal, in truth, was this, that falsehood must

always be conquered by truth. The cause
of the victory gained by Subne the Mad's
turning mad, was, that he lost some poems
and narratives, of which others availed
themselves after. The cause of the vic-
tory of Dermot's unskilfulness yielding to
Cennfaelad's skill, was that he (Cennfae-
lad) was educated at Tuam-Drecan, at
the meeting of the three roads, between
the houses of three learned men — that is,
a man skilled in genealogies, and a man
skilled in poetry, and a man skilled in
difficult reading ; and whatever these
three schools taught in the day, he, by the
acutenesB of his intellect, pondered over
each night, and whatever was most diffi-
cult, he unknotted, and wrote down in his
book of hard questions. We must not
omit a fourth victory gained at that time,
that is, that a man of Ireland, and another
man of Albany passed over to the east
without a ship of burthen, without a ship
of war — namely, Dubdiad, the son of Da-
man, and another of the Gael." — Stowe
Catalogue^ voL i. p. 285, sq.

This passage is not only incorrectly de-
cyphered from the MS., but also still more
incorrectly translated. The following is
the true version, as the Irish scholar will

* He observes in a note, that " This seems to have been a religious war between the Christian
king Donnald, and the Pagan Congal/' an observation which is sufficient to show that Dr. O'Conor
never read, or at least never understood, the Battle of Magh Rath.
IBISU ARCH. BOC. 6. 2 O

282

Ceannpaelaf) le Conjjal 'pci n-iona6 pn, mina aince6 Cpunnriiacl,
mac Suibne, ocup TTlaelooap TTlaca e, ocup ap na anacul Doib po
lobnaiceacap e co Senach, 50 Corhapba pacpaic, ocup po lompaib-
eacap pem t)0 conjbail a j-cooa Do'n cac. Ocup po fobnaic
Senac Ceannpaelab lap pm 50 bpicin Uuama Dpeaccan, ocup Do
bi aicce 50 ceann m-blianna aja leijeap; ocu]* t)o pilaincinncuil
ap pip an pe pm, co nac bi nf Da j-clumeaD gan a beir Do jlain-

meabpcfe

at once perceive :

'* The place of this book is Daire Lubran
[now Derryloran, in Tyrone], and its time
is the time of Domhnall, son of Aedh, son of
Ainmire, and its person [i. e. author] was
Cennfaeladh, the son of Ailill, and the cause
of its composition was, because his brain
of forgetfulness [the cerebdlum] was taken
out of the head of Cennfaeladh, in the
Battle of Magh Bath.

" Three were the victories of that bat-
tle, viz., I. the defeat of Coif gal Claen [the
wry-ejed] in his falsehood, by Domhnall
in his truth. 2. Suibhne Greilt's going
mad ; and, 3. his brain of forgetfulness
being taken from the head of Cennfaeladh.

'^ The cause of the defeat of Congal in
his falsehood by Domhnall in his truth, is,
that the unjust man is always defeated
by the just

'' The reason why Suibhne Geilt's going
mad is called a victory is, from the num-
ber of poems and stories he left to the
amusement of all ever since.

'' The reason that the taking of his
brain of forgetfulness out of the head of
Cennfaeladh is accounted a victory is, be-

cause he was afterwards cured at Tuaim
Drecain [Tomregan], at the meeting of
three roads between the houses of three
learned men, viz., a professor of the Fene-
chas law, a professor of poetry, and a pro-
fessor of literature, and whatever the three
schools repeated each day he retained
through the acuteness of his intellect each
night, and whatever part of it he deemed
necessary to be elucidated he glossed, and
wrote down in a Cailc [?] Leabhar.

" Or that there was a fourth victory,
that is, a man of the men of Erin and a
man of the men of Alba passed eastward
[i. e. to Alba] without a ship or vessel,
namely, Dubhdiadh, the son of Daman,
and one of the Gaels."

The task of thus pointing out the errors
of Dr. O'Conor is very painful, but the
Editor feels it his duty always to notice
whatever tends to corrupt or falsify the
sources of Irish history.

That Cennfaeladh^s intellect was im-
proved by losing a portion of his cerebel-
lum in this battle is very difficult to be-
lieve on the authority of this story ; but
the advocates of the modem science of phre-

283

fallen by Congal on the spot, had he not been protected by Crunn-
mael, the son of Suibhne, and Maelodhar Macha; and after protecting
him they conveyed him to Senach, Comharba, [i. e. successor] of St
Patrick^ and returned to maintain their part of the battle. After this
Senach conducted Cennfaeladh to Bricin of Tuaim Dreagan', with
whom he remained for a year under cure, and in the course of this
time his back brain had flowed out, which so much improved his
memory that there was nothing which he heard repeated, that he

had

nology have recorded several instances in
which similar changes of character have
been produced bj injuries inflicted on the
head. On this subject hear Dr. Coombe :
" A very striking argument in favour of the
doctrine that the brain is the organ of the
mind, is found in the numerous cases in
which changes of character have been pro-
duced by injuries inflicted on the head.
In this way the action of the brain is
sometimes so much altered that high ta-
lents are subsequently displayed where
mediocrity, or even extreme dulness ex-
isted before. Father Mabillon had

a very limited capacity in early youth, in-
somuch that at the age of eighteen he
could neither read nor write, and hardly
even speak. In consequence of a fall it
became necessary to trepan his skull : du-
ring his convalescence a copy of £uclid
fell into his hands, and he made rapid
progress in the study of mathematics.''
Dr. Gall mentions also the case of a lad,
who, up to his thirteenth year, was incor-
rigibly dull ; having fallen from a stair-
case and wounded his head, he afterwards,

when cured, pursued his studies with dis-
tinguished success. Another young man,
when at the age of fourteen or fifteen, was
equally unpromising, but fell from a stair
in Copenhagen, hurting his head, and sub-
sequently manifested great vigour of the
intellectual faculties. Gretry teUs of him-
self, in his Memoirs, that he was indebted
for his musical genius to a violent blow
inflicted on his head by a falling beam of
wood. '* In one of the sons of the late Dr.
Priestley" (says Dr. Caldwell) " a fracture
of the skull, produced by a fall from a
two-story window, improved not a little
the character of his intellect For a know-
ledge of this fact I am indebted to the
Doctor himself.'*

^ Senach, Comharba of St. Patrick, — He
died in the year 610, and the introduction
of him here is an evident anachronism.

8 Bricin Tuama Drea^an, — ^now Tom-
regan, near the village of Ballyconnell, and
on the frontiers of the counties of Cavan
and Fermanagh.^-See Note in the Feilire
Aengus, at the jth of September, in the
Leabhar Breac
2

284

meabpae aije ; 0015 am an r-aiceapc 00 m6 bpicin do cpi fcolaib
DO bioD pin Do jlain-meabpa aige-pium, gup bo peap rpi pcol laporh
Ceannpaelab, mac Oiliolla, jup ab e do arnuaDaiD Upaiceapc na
n-Giccep, i n-Doipe Lupam lepccain.

Imchupa Conjail, po cpomupcoip 'mon 5-car 1 5-cpioplac a
pceic uipDeipcc, imel-cpuai6, jup rpapccoip rpeona 'na D-copac,
ocup jop mu6ai6 miliD 'na meabon, ocup jop copjaip cupaiD 'na
5-cpioplac a pceir, jup bo cumac cnam, ocup ceann, ocup colann,
jac leip5 ocup jac lacaip map luai&epcaip; co D-capla cuije an
peap bopb, baer, ecceilliDe, Cuanna, mac Ulcam Ldm-paDa, mac
pi5 Caeilli na j-cupaD, ppip a n-abapcap Oipueap an can pa.
pailuijip Congal pe paicpm a C015I1 ocup a comalca, ocup arbepr,
ap Dfcpa an Dibepjj, ocup ap laecDa an leip-ceajap po Depa baoic
ocup buipb Do comluaD cara um ajaiD-pi a n-alc na h-uaipe pi.
Ni peibm plara na pip-laic Duic-pi am, bap Cuanna, aipcc peiceam-
naip Do cabaipc ap mac Deij-pip no Deaj-laic Da D-cicpab Do ca-
baipc a lai bdja le a bunaD cemeoil a n-imapgail apD-caca. Na
peapjaijceap cu, icip, a Chuanna, bap Conjal, uaip po peacappa
nac Do 5nim jaipgeD, nd D'lmluaD ecra na ean^nama canjaip co
TTlaj; Rar Do'n puarap pa. Ni h-innpcin aipD-pij Duic-pi pm Do
pa6a, bap Cuanna, ciD im nac D-ciobpamn-pi m'peiDm cara lem
aicme ocup lem dipD-pij. dec cena, ap upa lim-pa aipj D'pulang
na 5an cunjnam le mo caipDib ip m lo bdja pa amu. Ctp ann
pm camic Con^al peac an ommiD. Do DpuiD Cuanna a bonn pc
caca ocup pe ciuj na caiman, ocup do cuip a rhcp 1 puameam na
pleiji pbnn-leicni, ocup cuj upcop Ddna, Duaibpeac, Deaj-calma,
ajmap, aijmeil, upbabac D'mnpaijiD Conjail, co n-DeachaiD peac

uillmn

^ Doire Lurain^ — ^now Derryloran, near Doire Lurain^ which signifies the " oak
Cookstown, in the barony of Dungannon, grove of Liu:an" (a man's name), is the
in the north of the county of Tyrone, name of an old church and townland, and

285

had not distinctly by heaxt, and the instruction which Bricin had
delivered to his three schools he [Cennfaeladh] had treasured up in
his clear memory; so that Cennfaeladh, the son of Oilell, afterwards
became a man [i. e. a teacher] of three schools, and it was he that
afterwards renewed Uraicept na n-Eges, at Doire Lurain**.

With respect to Congal, he turned to the battle with his famous
hard-bordered shield, and prostrated mighty men in the front, over-
whelmed soldiers in the middle, and triumphed over heroes on the
borders, so that every spot and place to which he passed was a broken
heap of bones, heads, and bodies ; imtil the furious stolid simpleton
Cuanna, the son of Ultan, the Longhanded, i. e. the son of the king
of Caell na g-Curadh, now called Oirthear, met him. Congal, on
seeing his companion and foster-brother, bade him welcome, and said,
" Terrible is the malice, and heroic is the muster when fools and
madmen are at this moment of time waging battle against me." " It
is not the act of a prince or a true hero in thee, indeed," said
Cuanna, to " cast reflections on the son of any good man or good
hero, who should come to give his day of battle to assist his relatives
in the struggle of a great battle." " Be not enraged, Cuanna," said
Congal, " for I know that it was not for martial achievements, or to
perform feats of arms or valour thou hast come to Magh Rath on this
expedition." " It is not the saying of an arch-king for tiiee to say so,"
said Cuanna ; " why should I not lend my aid in battle to my tribe
ftnd my monarch ? But, however, I can more easily bear a reproach
than forbear giving assistance to my friends on this day of battle."
Then Congal passed by the idiot. But Cuanna pressed his foot
against the support and the solidity of the earth, and putting his
finger on the cord of his broad-headed spear, he made a bold, furious,
brave, successful, terrible, destructive shot at Congal, and it passed

beyond

also of a parish which is partly in the rony of Loughinsholin, in the county of
county of Tyrone, and partly in the ba- Londonderry.

286

uillinn an fceic coThmoip caca;5up coll an larii-jai an luipeac, co
n-Deachai6 if in apamn, gup bo cpeajoaijri na h-inne u»lc, co paibe
poppac pip Da poijpen cpe bamgen na luipigi ocup cpe compap
ocup cpe coirhceann a cuipp Do'n leac apaill. Dccaip Conjal
caipip ocup cue o'a ui6 gup b'e an oiririiiD po gum e, ocuppo bai ap
cumup Do-porh an oinrhiD Do ihapbab inD, ace nap riiiab laip puil
oinmioe D'paicpin ap a apmaib, ocup do leig a laec-apm ap lap,
ocup cug cepeb ocup cpcn-cappang ap an plcij ina f piecing gen
gup peDapcap ; ocup cug an Dapa peace, ocup nocap peD ; cue an
cpeap peace a abac ocup a lonacap amac icip a cneap ocup a
ceangal caca, ocup caicrhigip Congal a bap corhDaingean caca
ocup cue Daingean an cpeapa D'uppglaigi an alab cap Dibepg ga-
baib na gona, ocup cogbaib a apm Do lap, ocup geibeab ag agollom
na h-omniiDi, ocup a pe po paib ppip: Duppcm leam, a Chucmna, bap
Congal, nac cpiac cpen-coimpeac, no cliac beapna ceD caplaicc an
c-upcop pin Dom* cimbibe ; poec leam pop nac e an cuingib calma,
cac-linmap Ceallac, mac TTlailcoba, maibip mo copp Do ceD gum ;
olc leam pop nac e an cuaille cac-linmap Cpunnrhael, mac Suibne,
oip bligeap m'popDeapgaD, uaip po opcap a acaip ap aplac aipD-pi
6penn, con aipe pin nac Dlig peiceam pioc pe palab. Leig ap ale,
a Chongail, bap Cuonna, ap cian aca an pecm-pocal, i g-ceann gac
baic a baegal. Ni h-inann pin am, a Chuanna, bap Congal, ocup
gniomapra obloip ailgeanaig, gan aigneaD n-Damgcan, ocup gan ab-
bop tom' ceapbab. Cug Congal D'a uib lapcain ocup D'a aipe nap
bo pig Ulab na 6ipenn e a h-aiele na h-oengona, cug an oinmiD paip ;
ocup po gabupcap ag a bigail pern co cpoba, combana, coirhceann ap
peapaib 6penn, ag poDbaba gaca pim, ocup ag uaehabab gada

h-aicmeob,

"' Cmnnmhael^ the eon of Suilhne, — was slain by Congal.

CpuTiTT.ael, mac Suibne, — L e. the son of J (M is the proverb. — The Irish writers

Suibhne Meann, who was monarch of Ire* are so fond of putting proTerbs into the

land from the ^ear 615 to 628, when he mouths of their characters that they sera-

28;

beyond the angle of his great shield, so that the hand-spear pierced
the armour of Congal and entered his abdomen and pierced all the
viscera, so that as much as would kill a man of its blade was to be
seen at the other side of his body and of the armour which defended
it! Congal looked on one side, and observed that it was the idiot that
wounded him; and it was in his power to slay him on the spot, but he
did not like to see the blood of an idiot on his arms ; he laid his he-
roic weapons on the ground, and made a drag and a mighty pull to
draw back the spear, but he failed; he made a second effort, and
failed ; but in the third effort he dragged out his viscera and bowels
between his skin and his warlike attire ; and he extended his strong
warlike hand and drew his belt to close the wound, and took up
his arms off the ground, and proceeded to address the idiot, and said
to him, " Wo is me, O Cuanna," said Congal, " that it was not a
mighty puissant lord, or a hundred-killing champion that sent that
shot to destroy me. It grieves me, moreover, that it was not the
mighty, many-battled, populous champion, Cellach, the son of Mael-
cobha, that has to boast of having first wounded my body. I lament
that it was not the pillar, numerously attended in battle, Crunnmhael,
the son of Suibhne^ that chanced to wound me, for I slew his father
at the instigation of the monarch of Erin, so that a debtor might not
owe the death of enmity." "Desist, O Congal," said Cuanna, " old is
the proverb^ that * his own danger hangs over the head of every rash
man.' " " That is not the same, O Cuanna," said Congal, " as that I
$houldfallhy the deeds of an imbecUe idiot without a firm mind, and
without a cause for destroying me." After this Congal recognized that
he was neither king of Ulster nor Erin after this one wound, which
the idiot had inflicted upon him ; and he proceeded to revenge him-
self bravely, boldly, and impetuously on the men of Erin, by slaugh-
tering

pie not, as in the present instance, to make opponent, but this is probably ft'om want
a fool wield them in argument against an of skill in the vrriter.

288

h-aicTnea6, ocuf aj oiorujaD jaca Deij-cemeoil ; 0015 am po ha
ciomfugao fanncac ap j^airhpiachaib an f lubal fin, ocup po ba
bualab mojaib ap Thin-oeayHxib, ocuf po ba rgafleab peapcon pip
am^ib ap cpeoaib oapaccaca, oian-luaimneaca, ocup po ba capca-
pal mapa muipnij, moip-^eapanaij ap cpuab-jaechaib calab, an
cocapoa ceann, cmneapnac cue Gonial ap na caraib ; 50 ndp pdj-
bab liop gan luac-jul, na dpo gan ecafne, na maigean gan moip-
eapbaib, 00 na ceirpib coijeaoaib baoop ma ajaib an uaip pm, 00
na h-dpaib ocup Do na h-ainiccniB cucupcaip poppae; 0015 ap eao
po ac pocaip leip 00 comaipeam pi^, ocup puipeac, ocup coipeac,
cenmoca amaip, ocup anpaib, ocupoglaic bum, ocup laic leaoapca,
ocup buipb, ocup baoir, ocup buileaoaij: ceo Qe6, ceo Qeocm, ceo
lollann, ceo Domnall, ceO Qengup, ceo Donnchao, caega 6pian,
cae^a Cian, cae^a Concobap, cpioca Cope, cpioca piann, cpioca

piaicep ;

^ Against the strong streams from the
land. — Qp cpuao-jaeraib calao. — The
word jaor or 5ciec, which is not explained
in any Irish Dictionary, signifies a shal-
low stream into which the tide flows, and
which is fordable at low water. It fre-
quently enters into topographical names,
asJ5<3orSaile, in Erris, J^oc Ruip, near
Killalla, and ^ciocDoip and ^^or 6eapa,
in the west of the county of Donegal

* One hundred Aedhs, — Ceo Qeo^ — This
enumeration of the persons slain by Con-
gal, after having received a mortal wound
himself, must be regarded as pure romance ;
but it is curious as giving us an idea of the
names which were most commonly used
in Ireland in the time of the writer. Of
these names some are still in use as Chris-
tian names of men, many are preserved in
surnames, but several are entirely obsolete.

The name Aedh, which is translated ig-
nis by Colgan, has been Latinized Aldus,
Hugo, and Odo, and is now always An-
glicised Hugh.

^One hundred Aedhans. — C^o Qeoon.
— This name, which is a diminutive of the
preceding, has been Latinized Aidanus^
but it is now nearly obsolete as the Chris-
tian name of a man, and it does not enter
into any surname, as far as the Editor
knows.

^ One hundred lUanns, — Ceo lollann —
This name is now obsolete, though for-
merly very common*

® One hundred DomhnaBs. — Ceo Dom-
nall. — The name Domhnal has been Latin-
ized Domnaldus, Donaldus, and Danielis,
and Anglicised Donell, Donnell, Donald,
and Daniel, and it is almost unnecessary
to state, that it is still very common in

289

tering every tribe, thinning every sept, and overwhelming every noble
family; and indeed the onslaught made by Congal and his atten-
dants on the battalions on this occasion, was like the greedy gathering
of summer ravens, or the threshing made by a labourer on small ears
of com, or the letting loose of a truly furious hound among wild and
swift herds, or like the pressing of the loud-moaning boisterous sea
against the strong streams'' from the land, so that there was not a
house left without weeping, or a hill without moaning, or a plain
without great loss, throughout the four provinces which were against
him at that time, in consequence of the slaughter and destruction
which he brought upon them; for, besides soldiers and heroes, youths,
warriors, clowns, fools, and madmen, he slew the following num-
ber of kings, princes, and chieftains : one hundred Aedhs*, one him-
dred Aedhans", one hundred Ulanns", one hundred Domhnalls®, one
hundred Aengus's*", one hundred Donnchadhs** ; fifty Brians^ fifty
Cians*, fifty Conchobhars^ ; thirty Cores", thirty Flanns'', thirty Flai-

thes's ;

Ireland as the proper name of a man, the O'Haras and a few other families, but

always anglicised Daniel. always Anglicised Kean, which is not very

P Aengu^i. — Qenjup. — This is also incorrect
still in use, but generally under the La- ' Conchobhar%, — ConcoBop, is still in

tinized guise of ^neas. It was Anglicised use, but under the Anglicised form Conor,

Angus in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. or the Latinized form Cornelius. In the

^ Donnchadlu ^Donnchao, — has been old English records it is sometimes An-

Latinized Donatus, and Dionysius, and glicised Cnogher and Conogher. The late

Anglicised Donogh, Donat, and Denis, in Mr. Banim, in his celebrated novel, writes

which last form it is still in conmion it Crohoor, which nearly represents the

use in every part of Ireland, that is, the corrupt manner in which it is pronounced

person who is called Donnchao in Irish in the county of Kilkenny,
is now always called Denis in English. " Cora — Cope, is now entirely obsolete

^Brians, — &pian. — This is the same as as the Christian-name of a man, but its

the Brienne of the Normans ; it is still in genitive form is preserved in the family

use in every part of Ireland, but generally name Quirk, formerly O'Quirk.
Anglicised Bernard and Barney. ''Flanns. — pUinn, is obsolete as a Chris-

' Cians, — Cian, is still in use among tian name, except among very few families^

IRISH ARCH. SOC. 6. 2 P

plaicef ; oeicNeill, oeic n-Qmlaib, oeic n-Qiniijijin ; nai Tn-6pea-
pail, nai TTluipjif, nai TTluipeabai^ ; occ n-Gogam, occ Conaill,
occ Cobcaij ; peace Reochaio, peace Rmeapj, peace Rionaij ;
pe bpeapail, pe baeoain, pe blacmic; cuij n-Duib, cuij Demain,
CU15 Diapmaca; ceirpe 8calai6, ceirpe 8opai6, ceirpe Seacnapaij;
cpi Lopcam, rpi LiijaiD, cpi Laejaipe ; oa Gape, od paelan, od

Pionnchab ;

but its genitive form is preserved in the
family name Flynn, formerly O'Flynn, in
Irish letters O'pioinn.

" Maithes*8. — plairep, is now obsolete
as a Christian name, and it does not enter
into any surname as far as the editor
knows.

^ NiaBs — Niall. — This name is Latin-
ized Nigellns by St. Bernard, in the Life
of St. Malachy ; it is still in common use
as the Christian name of a man, and An-
glicised Neale.

^ Amhlaibhs. — QriilaiB. — This name,
which is written, according to the modem
orthography, QnilaoiB, was never in use
among the Irish until about the close of
the eighth century, when they adopted
it from the Danes, with whom they then
began to form intermarriages. It occurs
for the first time in the Annals of the
Four Masters, at the year 851, and its in-
troduction here as a man's name common
in Ireland proves that this account of the
Battle of Magh Rath was written after the
settlement of the Danes in Ireland. The
only name like it which the ancient Irish
had among them is Qihal^aio, but they
are certainly not identical, though proba-
bly of cognate origin. Both are now An-

glicised Awley in the surname Mac Awley.

* Aimergins, — Qmipjfn, now obsolete
as the Christian name of a man, but re-
tained in the surname Mergin, corruptly
Bergin, formerly O'Amergin,

y BreasaU. — 6peapal, was very com-
mon as the name of a man in the last cen-
tury, but it is now nearly obsolete ; it is
Anglicised Brassel, and sometimes Brazil
and latterly Basil among the O'Maddens.

« Muirgis^s. — TTluipjip. — This name was
very common among the ancient Irish be^
fore the Anglo-Norman invasion; but the
present name Maurice seems to have been
borrowed ftom the English, though evi-
dently cognate with TTluip^ip. It is still
undoubtedly preserved in the family name
Morissy, which is Anglicised from its ge-
nitive form in O'TTluip^eapa.

* Muireadhachs, — muipeaoach, L e.
the mariner^ now obsolete as the Chris-
tian name of a man, but its genitive form
is preserved in the family name Murray,
formerly O'muipeaoais. It is Latinized
Muredachus by Colgan and others.

^ Eoghans, — 60 jan, which is explained
in Cormac's Glossary, the good qffhpring^
or the goodly bortiy like the Latin Buge-
nius^ is still in use as the Christian name

291

thes's", ten Nialls"", ten Amhlaibhs"', ten Aimergins* ; nine Breasals^,
nine Muirgis's*, nine Muireadhachs* ; eight Eoghans**, eight Conalls^,
eight Cobhthachs** ; seven Reochaidhs*, seven Rideargs*^, seven Rio-
naighs^ ; six Breasals**, six Baedans*, six Blathmacs^ ; five Dubhs^ ;
five Demans* ; five Diarmaits" ; four Scalaidhs" ; four Soraidhs°, four
Sechnasachs** ; three Lorcans**, three Lughaidhs', three Laeghaires* ;

two

of a man ; it is Anglicised Owen and Eu-
gene, and Latinized Eoganus and Eugenius.

^ ConaUs, — Conall, is still in use among
a few families as the proper name of a man,
but most generally as a surname, though
it does not appear that the surname
O'Connell is formed from it, that being
an Anglicised form of the Irish G^Congkail,

^ Cobkthacka — CoBruc, L e. VictoricitiSj
now obsolete as a Christian name, but pre-
served in the surname Coffey.

* Beochaidhs. — T^eocaio, now entirely
obsolete.

^ Rideargs, — Rmeopj, obsolete.

* Bionaigks. — Rionaij, obsolete.

^ BrecaaU, — 6pea|xil.— See Note y, p.
290.

'* Baedans, — 6aeD6n, now obsolete as a
man's Christian name, but preserved in
the surname Boyton.

iBlathnMC8 6lucThac, now obsolete.

This name is translated Florigenus by
Colgan, Acta, SS. p. 129, n. 3.

^ Dubhs t)ub, L e. Black, is now ob-
solete as a man's Christian name, but pre-
served in the surname Duff.

* Demans, — Oeaman, obsolete as a
man's Christian name, but retained in the
surname Diman and Diamond, formerly

O'Deman.

"^ Diarmaits. — Diapmaic, still in use
in every part of Ireland. It is usually
Latinized Diermitius, and Anglicised Der-
mot, Darby, and, latterly, Jeremiah, which
is the form now generally adopted.

° Scalaidha, — Scalaio, now obsolete as
the Christian name of a man, but pre-
served in the surname Scally.

** Soraidks. — Sopaio, now obsolete.

P Seachnctsachs. — 8eacna][»ach, now ob-
solete as a man's Christian or baptismal
name, but preserved in the family name
O'Shaughnessy.

^ Loreans. — f>opcan, obsolete, but re-
tained in the surname O'Lorcain, which
is now always Anglicised Larkin.

^ Lugkaidhs, — Cu^aio, still retained,
and Anglicised Lewy and Lewis. It is La-
tinized Lugadius and Lugaidus by Adam-
nan and others, who have written lives of
Irish saints in the Latin language. It is
cognate with the Teutonic name Ludwig,
Ledwich ; which is Latinised Ludovicus,
and Gallicised Louis.

* Laeghairea, — Caejaipo, now obsolete
as a man's Christian or baptismal name,
but retained in the surname O'Laeghaire,
which is Anglicised O'Leary.
2

292

pionnchaD ; Ouban, Deman, Oicpeabac, TTlaenac, TTluipjiup, TTlui-
peaoac, Cope, Coipeall, Concobap, Diansup, Doninall, Dinncac,
pepgup, pallomain, T!Ja&5, ^^cccal, Oilioll, Gnna, Inpeaccac.

Ip e mnpm 00 pocaip laip o'd bpeipim bpume, ocup o'd nipruj-
a6 cpoc, ocup o'd eapbabaib ainijni, ap peapaib 6penn, 05 Oiogail
a en jjona opchaib.

Qp popbaD caca peOma, ocup ap cinneD caca cpuaD-comlainD
00 Congal Claen ip m cac-lacaip pin, ar conaipc pium cuige a
capa, ocup a coicli, ocup a comalca aen cige, ocup aen lepra, ocup
aen cosbala, oalca pem Deicioec, oepb-caipipi Do Domnall, mac
Qeoa, imc Qinmipech, .1. TTlaeloum, mac Qeoa bpacbuillig 6en-
nam, ocup map ac conaipc pium epiDem 'gd mnpaijjio peac cac
apcena, acbepc na bpiacpa pa : Conaip cmniup m muao-macaem
mop 00 TTlhuimnecaib ale icip, bap Conjal Claen. Re caipoeilb

* Earcs 6apc, now obsolete, but its

diminutive form Bapcdn is retained in
the surname O'h-Gopcdin, now Anglicised
Harkan.

^ Faelans, — paelan, now obsolete as a
man^s Christian name, but retained in the
family name O'Paelam, Anglicised Phe-
lan and Whelan.

^ Finndiadhs. — pionnchao, now obso-
lete.

^ Dubkan, — OuBdn, now obsolete as a
man's Christian name, but retained in the
family name O'DuBdin, which is Angli-
cised Duane, Dwan, Divan, and very fre-
quently Downes.

* Deman. — Deman See Note ', suprd,

y Dithrebhctch DicpeaBac, now obso-
lete : it signifies a hermit or eremite.

* Maenach,-~r-^ TTluenach, now obsolete

as a man's name, but retained in the sur-
name O'TTlaenai^, which is Anglicised
Mainy and Mooney.

* CoireaU, — Coipeall, now obsolete as
a man's Christian name and surname, but
its diminutive form is preserved in the
family name O'Coipealla in, which is An-
glicised Carellan, Carland, and Curland,
and sometimes Carleton.

** DiangiLS. — ^Dianjup, now obsolete,
^ Dinnthach ^Dinncach, obsolete.

* Fergus, — peapjup is still used as the
Christian name of a man, and correctly
Anglicised Fergus.

« Fallomhan, — Palloiham, now obso-
lete as the proper name of a man, but
retained in the surname, O* Palloiham,
now Anglicised Fallon, the O' being ge-
nerally, if not always, rejected.

^93

two Earcs\ two Faelans", two Finnchadhs^ ; one Dubhan", one De-
man*, one Dithrebhach^, one Maenach", one Muirghius, one Muireadh-
ach, one Core, one Coireall*, one Conchobhar, one Diangus**, one
Domhnall, one Dinnthach*^, one Fergus"*, one Fallomhan*, one Tadhg^,
one Tuatha?, one OiliU**, one Enna\ one Innrachtach^

Such were the names slain by his onslaught and capture, his over-
powering of wretches, and in his spiteful taking off of the men of
Erin, in revenging his own wound upon them.

After having finished every exertion, and terminated every hard
conflict in that field of contest'', Congal saw approaching him his
friend, companion, and foster-brother of the same house and same
bed, and same rearing, the diligent and truly affectionate foster-son of
Domhnall, son of Aedh, son of Ainmire, namely, Maelduin, son of the
warlike Aedh Beannain, and as he saw him approaching, himself
beyond all, he spake these words : " Wherefore does the large, soft
youth of the Momonians come hither," said Congal Claen. " To show

thee

^ Tadhg. — ^Caoj, which is interpreted
a poet hj the Glossographers, is still in
use as the Christian name of a man in
every part of Ireland. It has been La-
tinized Thaddsus and Theophilus, and
Anglicised Thady, Teige, and Timothy,
which last is the form of the name now
generally used.

8 Tuathal. — Cuachal, i. e. the lordly,
»now obsolete as the Christian name of
a man, but retained in the family name
0*Cuaruil, now Anglicised O' Toole, and
sometimes Tuohill.

^ OiliU, — OilioU; this, which was the
name of a great number of ancient Irish
chieftains, is now entirely obsolete as the

Christian name of a man, and it does not
appear to enter into any family name. It
was pronounced Errill in some parts of
Ireland.

^ Enna, — Bnna, now obsolete as the
Christian name of a man, but retained in
the family name of Mac Enna, generally
Anglicised Makenna.

J Innrticlitach, — Inpeaccach, now ob-
solete as the Christian name of a man, but
retained in the surnames O'h-lnpeaccaij^
and mac Inpeaccai^, the former of which
is Anglicised Hanraghty in the north, and
the latter Enright or Inright in the south
of Ireland.

^ After hamng finished, S^c, — There is a

294

DO ciug-bot, ocu]^ pe h-iTTiluat) h-aiTYileay^a, ocup pc h-innapba h-an-
nia a cuap-ifcat)aib Do cuipp, m aobaiD a n-aijcpcap uippe a
h-uilc, ocuf a h-anpeich, ocup a h-ecopa uile, m aen inao, .i. 05
opcx^h-riiuinocep Duaibpij, opejanca, Diconmpclig Diabail. 1p ano
pm cibip ocup cerpaiDip Gonial Claen a jean jlan-aiobpenach
jttipe, 00 coTTipaicib a coiclf, ocup a comDalca, ocup acbepr na
bpiacpa Do ruilleo in cobeime ocup 00 copmach na capcaipi : Ip
aobap dine Do c'eapcaipDib, ocup ip Damna oojpa ooc' caipDib
ocup DOC compoicpib m cupup cangaip, dp ip luch-clcpa leimm
5an ceill, no mnd ap na meaopaD Do mop eD Duic-piu, buain pe
bpacleacaib boDba na pe coDnacaib cuppai^n cupaD na car-lair-
pec-pa ; op Doij ipac cpaeb-pa nap cpaireaD pa cno-rheap, ocup
ipac maech-plac nap mannpaD pe mop-Docaip ; Daig ip Dam pa ip
aicmD lapum Do muaD-jaipceD malla, macaemDa maech-lean-
maiji-piu, 5an dj, gan accaip, jan upcoio, ^an pip-Duabaip, a n-ao-
paD h'apm, na h'peaDma, na h'en^numa. D015 ip pe Dolb-jnimaib
Dicleaca Dal-in^abala Debca Domnaill Do cuaDap do cepc-clepa
compaic-piu, uaip Da cpian Durchupa pe Dalca d h-epnail na
na h-aiDeachca, ocup d h-aigneD na h-ailemna, ocup d Ducchup na
oalcacca boDepm.

bpiacpa baibbe, ocup uplabpa amaiDi, ocup cuar-ban-glop
cdpc-labapca rpoch po rajpaip, ocup po cupcanaip, a Chongail
Chlaem, ale, bap e-pium. Qp ip mipi poc pubca cpe meaDpaD, ocup
rpe micomaipli do mallaccnaije; ocup nip ba Du Duic-piu m c-aen
Duine ip pepp a n-6pinn ocup m Qlbam, ocup ni h-eaD amain, ace
Do'n cineD coiccenn cpich-puineDach ap chena, Do carafp ocup do

rampiumaD.

cliasm here in the vellum copy, and the is not properly explained in any published

matter has been supplied from the paper Irish Dictionary, is used throughout this

one from p. 107 to p. 1 15 of that copy. story in the sense of teretch, or one given

^Reprobate. — Cpoc. This word which up to a reprobate sense.

295

thee thy final destiny, to expedite thy misfortune, and to drive thy
soul from the latent recesses of thy body into an abode where sa-
tisfaction will be taken of it for all its evils, ill-debts, and injustice in
one place, by the even, terrible, dragon-like people of the Devil."
Then Congal burst into a clear, tremendous fit of laughter, at the
sajdngs of his comrade and foster-brother, and he said the following
words to add to the insult and increase the offence : " The embassy
on which thou hast come is a cause of delight to thine enemies, and
of anguish to thy friends, for it is but the dexterous feats of a child
without sense, or of a woman after being disturbed by deep jealousy,
for thee to attempt to cope with the mighty heroes or the well-arrayed
chieftains of this battle-field ; for thou art indeed a branch which has
not been shaken for its finiit, and thou art a soft twig that has not
been hardened by great hardships. For to me the soft, slow actions
of thy childhood and boyhood are known; thou wert Yjithout gaining
victory or inflicting venom, injury or oppression by thy devotion to
thine arms, thy prowess, or thy valour. For indeed thy first warlike
feats were imitations of the dark, mysterious, battle-shunning contests
of Domhnall, because two-thirds of a foster-child's disposition are
formed after the nature of the tutorage, rearing, and fosterage he re-
ceives."

"The words which thou hast spoken and argued hitherto, O
Congal Claen," said the other, " are the words of a scold, the language
of an idiot, and the perverse, woman-like talk of a reprobate'. And
it is I who shall wound thee*" in consequence of the insanity and evil
tendency of thy wickedness; it is not becoming in thee to revile and
traduce the very best man not only in Erin and Alba, but the best
of all the men of the western world in general. I therefore delight to

meet

" It is I who shall wound thee — In the meipi noc oin^ebae, L e. for it is I who
paper copj, p. 1 16, the reading is uaip ip shall check or resist thee.

296

campiumat). Comb aipe pin if Ifch lim-fa 00 comlann, ocup t)o
compac o'pajail, a h-aicli na h-iplabpa pm; Doij am, bu6 apsain gan
apm-copnum ouic-piu cobaip no congnomao Do copp '50c' coriipulanj,
no 00 lath '50c' luamaipecc, no h-apm, no h-engnuma Doc' imDiDen,
Doij po Diulcpar, ocup po Dilpijpec cu-pa Do'n cupup pa ; ocup
acbepc na bpiarpa pa.

Q Congail, m coingeba,
Cepc conilainDpaec comalca;
Cepcame ocup c'anDligeD,
Ope biD buapach bpach-boDba,
'^oc cental, '50c cuiBpec-pu.
Uaip nip epgip aen maiDen,
Nip lufjip ac'laech-imDaiD,
^an capcame oll-ceDa,
Do c'uaiplib, DO c'aiDeaDaib,
Do chuillem gan ceapapgam.
Qp m'lmDaiD nip epgiu-pa,
Im lebaiD nip luijep-pa,
5«n ceD n-65ldc n-imcomlainD,
Do clannaib Neill ncpc-calma,
Dom' bpumniuD, Dom' beannachaD.
UmuTn-f»a biD apm-luipeach,
Dom' imDfDen opuc-pu,
bennacca na m-buiDne pm,
QipD-pij Gpenn c'aiDe-piu.
Cimcell epoch a campiumaD,
puil punn Dalca Dijelap,
Qp canaip a Chlaen Chongail.

CiD rpacc, m ce nac cldraijDfp cecupca cailgenn, ocup nap pcD-
pac par-comaipleba pellpam Do cup ap ceill, nd ap cuibcep, na

297

meet thee in battle and combat after the speech thou hast spoken ;
for it will be destruction beyond the defence of arms to thee, that thy
feet should help to sustain thee, or thy hand to guide thee, or thy
arms or valour to protect thee, for indeed they have refused and de-
serted thee on this occasion ; and he said these words :

" O Congal, thou wilt not maintain
A just contest with thy foster-brother ;
The curses, and thy lawlessness
On thee will be as a mighty fetter,
Tying thee, binding thee.
For thou didst not rise any morning,
Thou didst not lie in thy warlike bed.
Without the curses of many hundreds
Of thy nobles and fosterers
Being deserved by thee without reserve.
From my bed I rose not.
In my bed I lay not.
But an hundred warlike youths
Of the strong, valiant race of Niall
Caressed me and blessed me.
About me shall be as armour,
To protect me against thee,
The blessings of this people
And of Erin's monarch, thy tutor.
About the wretch his own censure will be.
There is here a foster-son to revenge
What thou hast said, O false Congal !"

Howbeit, he whom the instructions of saints did not render gen-
tle, whom the wise admonitions of philosophers could not bring to
IRISH ARCH. soc. 6. 2 Q his

298

ap comaencdib, ocup ap nap laij lojab na Idn-riieipcean pe h-oilc
na pe h-aicpecuf oala, nd Dpoch-gnfriia Oct n-oepnaio pm co h-uDacc
na h-uaipe pn, ip 6 dipmic ugoaip na h-ela&an, co pucao od cpian
a capaiD o Congal ip in cepc-maD pm, .i. pip na bioj-labapcaib
bo&ba po canupcap a chaicli ocup a conialca, ic cuba, ocup ic
caipelbab a uilc, ocup a eapcame, cx:up a anolijio ina a^aiD-pim.

Cio cpacc, cio h-e TTlaeloum po puapaic, ocup po poillpigiup-
cap m paebap-clep peicemnaip pm, ip 6 bpac popgell bennaccan
Domnaill, a beaj-aiDi, po bpiachpai^epcap ap d beol,cpe cpabao,
ocup cpeiDium, ocup caem-jnCmaib aipo-pi^ 6penn, po ailcpcap
h-e ; uaip nf oecaiD Domnall 6 chpoip jan cpomab, na 6 ulaio ^an
impob, na 6 alcoip jan eaDapsuiOi.

^upa pach-gleo peicemnaip Congail ocup TTlaelaDum conice
pm. Comlann ocup compac na oepi oepb-comalcaD pm mpo
amach boOepca.

Ip ano pm pucpat) pum Da cpen peog cpice, capm-cpuaioi,
cnur-comapraca cacaip 1 cepc-corhodil a cell, map 00 peichoip
ocup DO puacapai^iDfp Dd pdp-rapb puamanca, po-rpena, ic bpip-
lUD b6pai5, ocup ic cpuab-comaipc comeipji ap a cell ; ocup po
claeclaDap Da cepc-beim cpuaiDi, comgapja, comDicpa, ^an pall-
pachc, jan pialcaipe, jan compegab comalcaip, a cepc-agaib a
cell, jup beanupcap claiDem Con^ail 1 cluap aiDlinD carbaipp a
comalca m aen-pipc, ocup m aenpecc, co cappaiD colg-Dep m
claiDim ceDna *na cloijenn, jop leoapcap m leic-cenn ocup m lec-

cluap,

^ According to the account given by the which often occurs in ancient MSS., is

authors, — Ip i aipmio ujoaip na h-eaUi- still understood in the west of Ireland to

Doa — This is another proof that the wri- denote a penitential station at which pil-

ter had several accounts of the battle be- grims pray and perform rounds on their

fore hinL knees. The word is in use in Inishmuny,

® Penitential station. — Ulum, a word in the bay of Sligo, where it is applied

299

his senses, reason, or to agreeableness, and on whom no depression or
sinking of spirits had come from horror or repentance for the evil
deeds which he had committed up to this time, lost on that spot
(according to the account given by the authors" of the treatise), the
two-thirds of his vigour, in consequence of the startling and cutting
words which his companion and foster-brother had spoken in pointing
out and showing against him his evils, his curses, and his lawlessness.

Howbeit, although it was Maelduin that showed forth and ex-
hibited this feat of accusation, it was in reality the influence of the
blessing of his foster-father king Domhnall which caused such words
to issue from his mouth, in consequence of the piety, faith, and just
deeds of the monarch of Erin ; for Domhnall never went away from
a cross without bowing, nor from a penitential station*" without
turning round, nor from an altar without praying.

So far the relation of the recriminating quarrel of Congal and
Maelduin. The combat and fight of these two foster-brothers shall
next be treated of

Then they made two powerful, agile, hardy, eager, warlike springs
towards each other, as would rush and spring two impetuous, in-
furiated, powerful bulls to wreak their vengeance and fury on each
other; and they exchanged two direct, hard, fierce, vindictive, veno-
mous strokes without treachery, or friendship, or regard to fosterage,
right against each other, so that the sword of Congal struck the side
of the helmet** of his foster-brother, and its edge wounded the side of
his head and one ear, and hewed his breast and side down to the
leather belt of war, so that all the youthful, bright-deeded warrior's

side,

to a stone altar surmounted with a stone at Kilgobnet, in the county of Kerr j.
cross, and on the table of which many p Side of the helmet, — Cluap aiolino

round stones are ranged in chimerical cacBaipp This reference to the helmet

order, so as to render them difficult of being would seem to savour of more modem

reckoned. This word is also understood times than the real period of this battle.

300

cluap, jup leaoaip m leac-ucc ocup m leac-bpumne ^up m cpip
C010I151 cacha ap n-ichcap, ^up ba h-aen bel, ocup gup ha h-aen
alao upoplaicci, iniaicbeil cnepbpuinne in cuilein caerii-sniTnai^i
pm 6 n-a 6 50 a imlino ; cond paibe ace a cpip C01DI151 caca ic
congbail a inne ocup a inataip ap n-fccap, ap pcalcao a pceic
5up in cobpaio moip meDonaij ocup gup in epiploic cpumo cen-
jailci cpuan-eagapn cpeouma. Ip ano pm po linjiupcap m lann
Imica, lapamain, luac-pmcech, lan-caicnerhac, .1. claiOem Congail,
ap a alcaib, ocup ap a iniDopnncup rpe micupcaipci, ocup cpe
miceacniaipib a rhfpaic, ocup a riiallaccan, peib po imcloipeo aip
ip m uaip pin, goma h-aipoinp pe h-en ic epji op bapp bile, a n-m-
Baib eppaij, pe coip a ceilebapra, cpuao-lann claioim Congail, 1
n-aep, ocup 1 pipTnaminc op a cmo, ip m comlann, ocup ip m compac
pm.

CpuaD-buille cloioim TTlaelaouin impaicep agamo ap a h-airli :
ip ar)r) po peolao ocup po peoaijeo a cloioem comapcac compaic
pioe o luamaipecc Idma a cigepna 'gd cpen-imipc, ocup 6 ouqiac-
caib Oilpi, olijreca, oepb-oeicioeca Donmaill 'gd oipjut), ocup 'gd
tjeipiugaD peac pcdc-eaoapnaige pceic Congail Claein, no gup
Oitpaijepcap a ooiD n-oian-buillij n-oeip gd luicib oo'n laech-milio.
Do ponpac pum map aen lamac oa laec-mileo ap m laraip pin: co
cappaio Conjal cpuao-lann a claioim co h-imaclam ecapbuap, gop
pdio ocup jup pooepigepcap h-i ap a aicli ma h-alcaib ocup ma
h-imoopncap, ocup cucupcap cpi cpen beimenna Do cpuao-alcaib in
claioim Do lurpoimiccm a lama, D'd n-Dinge ocup D'd n-olucujuD 1
ceann a cell. UappaiD TTlaelDuin caem-Doic Congail eaoapla
eaDapbuap jan cibpiuD pe calmain. Imgabaip TTlaeloum Dm, a
maD imlaiDe ap a airli, ocup pucapcup leip in Idm D'd rdgbail,
ocup Dd caipbenaiD d'u Qinmipec co n-apD-plaicib 6penn ime.
Ocup map acconaipc Gonial a caicli ocup a comalca ic cpiall
a cechiD ocup m upD a imjabala, acbepc na bpiacpa pa: Ip beim

30I

side, from his ear to his navel, was one wide, gaping, awful wound ;
and that there was nothing but his battle belt confining his viscera
and bowels below, his shield having been cleft to the great central
boss, and to the circular, red-bordered rim of brass. Then the sharp-
flaming, quick-striking, brilliant blade, namely, the sword of Congal,
flew from its joints and from its hilt, tlirough the mishap and mis-
fortune of his ill fate and his accursedness, which worked against him
at this hour, so that as high as a bird rises from the top of a tree in
the season of spring, for the purpose of warbling, so high did the
hard blade of Congal fly in the air and firmament over his head in
that contest and combat.

Let us next speak of the hard sword-stroke of Maelduin : his
death-dealing sword of combat was aimed and directed by the gui-
dance of the hand of its lord, which mightily plied it ; and by the
lawful and upright worthiness of Domhnall, which aimed and con-
ducted it clear of the sheltering interposition of the shield of Congal
Claen, so that it shot his rapid-striking right hand off* the sinews of that
warlike hero. Both exhibited the dexterity of true warlike champions
on this spot : Congal expertly caught the hard blade of his sword in
its descent, and thrust and fixed it in its rivets and hilt, and made
three mighty blows of the hard knobs of his sword at the sinews of
his arms to press and close them together** ; Maelduin caught the fair
hand of Congal while it hovered in the air before it could reach the
ground. After this Maelduin deserted his post in the conflict, car-
rying with him the hand, to raise and exhibit it to the grandson of
Ainmire and the arch-chieftains of Erin, who were along with him.
When Congal perceived his companion and foster-brother preparing
to flee from him and to shun him, he spoke these words : " It is

treading

*> To press and dose them toff ether y — ^i. e. as to stop the blood. The writer should
to press the veins and arteries together so have added that he tied them.

302

ap incaib na h-arapt)a, am ale, bap ep lum, ocup ip Diall p6D Duch-
cupaib Dilpi booepm Duic-piu, na h-dbaipi, ocup na h-aipp6ena pm,
.1. mmpcainnpe mellca, mammeca, moc-imjabala na muimnech
o'airpip ocup o'pfp-a&pao; uaip cm aj Cec CuinD Do cleccaipiu
t)o ceo-jnfmpaba, ocup t)o mebpaijip Do riiac-cleapa, ip a Cer
TTloja Do riiainDpip do cuidij Do'n comlanD pm, ocup Do'n compac;
Daij ip ceim macairh TTluimm j ap a mac-cleapaib a olbDacc, ocup
a enamlacc po pagbaip c'maD imlaiDi pe h-diciup aen-beime 'p
an imaip5 pea. Qcc ip pndr-jeppab paejail, ocup ip aiceppac
aimpipe Dam-pa m Dume ndp Doij Dom' nfchaD, ocup Dom' nepc-
ppeagpa, Dom' pobpa, ocup Dom' aimpiujaD pd'n i^amla pin, ocup
apbepc na bpiachpa pa : CloD copcaip ann po, ale, bap Conjal
Claen, aireppac aimpipe pe h-micloD m'aibeDa-pa ; pabaD po-
jaipi D'ojaib aichenup. Cia pip nac comapca caiDbpi riuj-bdpa
Dam-pa ip DebaiD pea leoD ma leach-ldma ap coll mo cloi6im-pea,
mo copcap clopeDap ! CloD.

Ip anD pin po laDpac ocup po innillpecap mop-cara TTlufmnech
D'eip na h-ipjaili pin, ma TTlaelDuin pd'n uapal, ocup pd'n aipD-pij.
ba Dfmafn ocup ba Dirapba Doib-pium pm, uaip ba painnpe Do ndp
pejaD pop pcdr, ocup ba h-eoDapnaiDi ipjaili po paijeaD ocup po
papaijeb co pei6, ap n-a poccain. Qcc cena, po impcaicepcap
pum 'na uprimcell lac comDaip caeb-pcaflci cul-maela colla na
cupaD ap n-a comruicim. 6a h-m^nab, am, na h-abaipi ocup na
h-aippDena Do niD pum ; ni pobbaiseb pannpaiji, ocup ni laigeD ap
leac-Dafnib, ocup ni DiraijiD Dponga na Daepcup-pluaj.

CiD cpacc, ba Die pine ocup plain upa Do mop-cachaib TTluman
ap mapbupcap Gonial Claen D'd n-uaiplib, ocup D'd n-apD-maicib
ip in uaip pm ; jup ob ea6 dipmic fijDaip co nach mo po mapbpac

pip

' Leai/i Chuinn, — L e. Conn's half, or • Leath Mko^ha, — ^L e, Mogha's half, or
the northern half of Ireland the southern half of Ireland.

3^3

treading in the footsteps of thy fathers," said he, " and it is clinging
to thy own true ancestorial nature thou art, when thou exhibitest
these symptoms and tokens, viz., thou dost but imitate and worship
the smooth, treacherous, retreating, flying skirmishes of the Momo-
nians ; for although it was in Leath-Chuinn' thou didst practise thy
first deeds and learn thy juvenile military exercises, it was in Leath-
Mhogha* thou hast practised the part thou hast taken in this combat;
for the suddenness and speed with which thou hast abandoned thy
post of combat in this rencounter in the exultation of thy one suc-
cessful stroke, is certainly the part of a Momonian youth treading in
the path of his early military instructions. But it is the cutting of
the thread of life, and a change of time to me, that the person from
whom I least expected it should thus attack and mutilate me ;" and
he said these words : " This is indeed the reverse of triumph," said
Congal Claen, " a change of times with my reversed fate ; it will be
a warning of wisdom to the youths who will recognize it. Who
would not recognize an omen of my death in this contest, in the cut-
ting ofi* of my hand after my sword had failed. My triumphs are
over ! A change," &c.

After this combat the great battalions of the Momonians closed
and arranged themselves around Maelduin under the noble and
the monarch; but this was idle and profitless for them, for it was
the unrespected sheltering of weakness, and it was the interposition
in battle which was easily assaulted and subdued, when arrived at
However, they flocked around him until the bodies of the champions
were left in side-gaping and headless prostration. Wonderful indeed
were the omens and appearances they exhibited, they did not disarm
feeble men, nor did they overwhelm the dregs of the army.

Howbeit, the number of their nobles and arch-chieftains slain by
Congal Claen at this time was ruin of tribes and of kingdoms to the
great forces of Munster; so that authors recount that the men of Erin

had

3^4

pip Gpenn D'Ullcaib ac cup in cara pm, ma po Tnapbpum bo
TTl ufrhnecaib anuap conice pin; no co pacaib pium Celiac, mac
ITlailcaba, ic lappaib, ocup ic lapmopacc maelt)6in, mic QeDa
benain, o'd pecium, ocup o'a imbioen ap cuinDpjleo Conjail ip in
cac-ipjail, map Demnfjep mopci Oomnaill booein, ap comepji m
cara :

TTlaelouin ocup Cobcac cam,

pinncao ip paelcu, mac Conjail,
no CO m-bpipcep m car cam,
uaim ap comaipci Chellaij.

Ip ann pin po gabupcap spam Gonial pe compejao Chellaij,
conab aipe pm po pepupcap pum pdilci ppi Celiac, Do ceannpu jab
in cupab, ocup Do rpaecab a cpom-pepgi; ocup apbepc na bpiarpa
pa:

TTlo cean Celiac compamac,
Cumjib cara car-lairpec,
Cobaip clann Neill nepc-buillec,
Qp dbbal ap Ullcacaib,
Qp mulj pac na pfjpaibe.
Qp m cojbdil cucpaDap,
Opm-pa clanna caem Chonaill,
pell-pinjal nd popbac pum
Opm-pa d h-aichle m'ailemna,
Re h-ucc-bpuinDi h-ui Qinmipec ;
Qp caipDiup, ap comalcup,
Leic eaDpum ip oll-TTlhuimnis,
Co nd bia pdc ppegapca,

Oom'

' The words ofDtmhnaU himself,— T[\a\i This quatrain is quoted fipom an older ac-
oeiihmjef inofci t>oinnaill bo oein. — coiint of the battle.

3^5

had not slain more of the Ultonians during the battle than Congal
had slain of the Momonians up to that time, when he saw Cellach,
the son of Maelcobha, seeking and searching for Maelduin, the son
of Aedh Bennain, to shelter and protect him against the onset of
Congal in the combat, as the words of Domhnall himself ^ spoken at
the first commencement of the engagement, testify :

^^Let Maelduin and Cobhthach, the comely,
Finnchadh, and Faelchu, son of Congal",
Until the great battle be won.
Be from me under Cellach's protection."

Then Congal was filled with horror at the sight of Cellach, and
he therefore bade Cellach welcome to soothe that hero and abate his
violent anger, and said these words :

"My afiection to Cellach, the valorous.
Leader of the battle in the lists,
Shield of the mighty-striking race of Nial.
Great is the slaughter on the Ultonians
On Magh Eath of the kings !
On accoimt of their having fostered me,
The fair race of Conall,

Fratricidal treachery let them not exert against me
After my having been nursed
At the ver}' bosom of the grandson of Ainmire.
For the sake of friendship and fosterage
Leave it between me and the great Momonians,
That they may not have the power of revenge

After

** FaeUhu^ son of Congal. — Here king some of them were arrayed in deadly

Domlinall is represented as anxious to pre- enmity against him. See also Note ^,

serve the lives of his foster-sons, although p. i6a

IBI8H ARCH. SOC. 6. 2 R

3o6

Dom* eip acu ap Ullcacaib.

Ni biii pefca 05 F^^P5^5^^»

Re clannaib Cuino Cco-cachaij ;

Qirpec bum ap luac-rhapbuf

Dom' uaiplib, Dom' aioeabaib,

CI TKilmpeip, a n-epcaine

pa oeapa mo ooic-cippao

Do mac Qe6a anjlonnaij,

Nap pafl neac Dom* nepc-ppejpa,

Dd n-ana6 pem' aicbi-pea,

D'a eip m bub arjumec

TYlo coicli Y mo comalca.

Cib6 bap pom' b6pupa,

1 n-ofgail mo 6epb-pala6,

dp cdc ; ip mo cen Ccllach.

TTlo cen.

dec cena, nf h-aipcio capao ap capaio in coma pin cuinjipiu,

a Conjail, ale, bap Celiac, ace mao bpac-coma bibboo o'aplac

a aimlepa ap a eapcapaic. dec cena nf o'pupcacc dp n-epcapac,

na o'lmluao ap n-aimlepa cancaoap niuimni^ ip m rndp-pluai^eo

pa, ace ip o'accup Ulao ocup o'mnappa allmapac ; ocup acbepc

na bpiarpa pa :

Ct Conjail, na cumoij-piu

Opm-pa m comaiD cel^-Ouaibpij,

Dilpiu^at) pluaijf paep-TTliiman,

Cancaoap pci'p cogaipm-ne,

D'dp cobaip, o'dp comoipsiuo,

D' popfcin h-ui Qmmipec,

1 n-ajaib a eapcapao.

Ni o'lmluab dp n-aimlepa

Cancaoap m cupupa,

Qcc

3^7

After me [i. e. my death'] on the Ultonians,

I shall not henceforth be angered

With the race of Hundred-battle Conn.

I regret the number I have slain

Of my nobles, of my fosterers,

It was my disobedience to them and their malediction

That caused the mutilation of my hand

By the un valiant son of Aedh [Bennari],

Who no one thought, would be able to respond to me.

Had he waited for my response

He would not be a great slaughterer,

My comrade and my foster-brother.

Whatever kind of death shall overtake me,

In revenging my just animosity

On all ; my affection to Cellach.

My affection," &c.

" Howbeit, this request is not indeed the entreaty of a friend from
a friend, O Congal," said Cellach, " but the treacherous entreaty of
an enemy pressing his misfortune on his foe. It was not surely to
support our enemies, or to effect our misfortune, that the Momonians
have come into this great hosting, but to put down the Ultonians
and expel the foreigners ;" and he said these words :

"O Congal, do not ask

Of me the treacherous request.

To oppress the noble host of Mimster,

Who came at our summons

To assist us, to set us to rights,

And to aid the grandson of Ainmire

Against his enemies.

It is not to effect our misfortune

They have come on to this expedition,

2 R 2 But

Qcc pe luab dp leap
1 cacaib, i con^alaib.

308
leapa-ne

Q Conjail,

TTlaich, a Con5ail,ale, bap Celiac, ppepcail-piu mo comlann-pa,
ocup mo compac boDepca, dp ip lop lim-pa ap leigiup o' uaiplib
ocup d' apo-riiafcib 6penn t)*poipcceD ocup D'po6bu5a6, Qcc am
ale, bap Conjal, nf corhabaip dp compac ; cu-pa co h-apm6a ocup
CO h-imlan, mipi, umoppo, ap n-amle66 co leac-ldmach. Qcr cena,
m puil a pip aguc-pa cd h-d&bap pdp' reiciup-pa ru mao gup cpapca?
Nf peaoap umoppo, a Conjail, ap Celiac, ace mun ub ap caipome
m comalcaip, no o'uaipli na h-aioechca. Ceic ap ale, a Chellaij,
ap Congal; bdijim-pi bpiarap cumao peppoi lim-pa jac lepDachc
ocup cac linmaipecc Do beofp m*aioe6a ocup m'ailemnopai^ popc-
cioi, paen-mapba pa colj-Deip mo claibim ; ace cena, ip uime po
rechiup-pa ap each inao o'lnao, ocup ap cac cach-laraip'na ceili, co
n-airmO m'anpalca ap uaiplib ocup ap dpo-maicib Gpenn, uaip po
peaoap nac buo peap airi a palab nd a ecpaioi cecrap uaino cap
eip comlamo ocup compaic a cell ; ocup muna beino-pi ap nOi-
ceannab mo Doici, ocup ap le66 mo leach-ldma t)o ^ebrd-pa mo
jleo-pa CO jdibrec, ocup m' imlafoi co h-aicbeiL Imsaib m imaipj,
no ppejaip in compac, a Conjail, ap Celiac; Imjebac, a Chellaij,
ap Conjal, ocup po b'annam lim Idfaip od pdnac piarh D'pdcbail,
ap imjabdil imlafoi, ocup 61c 05 imbuala^ fnoci Dap m'eipi ; conio
ann apbepc in lafb :

Qnnum lim Dul a each cam,
ip 615 cap m'eip aj imjum,

^ Fw the future. — 5oDefca is used cient Irish MSS. for the modem word
throughout this story, and in the best an- peapca, L e. for the future.

309

But to promote our welfare

In battles, in conflicts.

O Congal "

" Well then, Congal," said Cellach, ** respond to my conflict and
combat for the future'', for I think that I have suffered enough of the
nobles and arch-chieftains of Erin to be slaughtered and cut down."
" Not so, indeed''," said Congal, " for our conflict is not equal : thou
art armed and perfect, I am mutilated and one-handed. But dost
thou know why I have avoided thee hitherto ?" " I do not, indeed,
O Congal," said Cellach, " unless it was for the friendship of the fos-
terage, or for the nobihty of the tutorage." " Desist, henceforward
from such observations, O Cellach," said Congal; " I pledge my word
that the more extensively and the more numerously my instructors
and fosterers would be slaughtered, and prostrately mangled under
the edge of my sword, the more I would like it. But the reason
why I fled thee, from one place to another, and from one spot of con-
test to another, was that I might satisfy my animosity on the nobles
and arch-chieftains of Erin, for I knew that neither of us would be
fit to revenge his animosity or enmity after fighting and combating
with each other. But had not my hand been mutilated and cut off*
thou shouldest now get from me a dangerous battle and terrible con-
flict." " Fly the contention or respond to the combat, Congal," said
Cellach. " I will fly from it, O Cellach," said Congal, " though it was
seldom with me ever to quit a spot of contention where I happened
to come, to avoid a combat, while youths should be contending there
after me ;" and he repeated this poem :

" Seldom with me to depart from a fair battle.

And youths after me exchanging woimds,

^ Indeed. — Qih is used throughout this «aa« ; but it is not used in the spoken Irish
story as an expletive, like the Greek )f, or of the present day in any of the provinces.

3IO

ba menca litn anab ann,

Dap 6^y cdich a juin jalann.
Noca n-pacai& mi-p piorii,

pem' petniup pein, caip na nap,

peap mo ppepcail, nf pdc pann,

ace mat) Celiac ip Oomnall.
Nip b' eajal lim Domnall Oil,

Do cped^oab mo cuipp comjil,

aoa jup cu-pa, a Ixxfc luino,

ip aipe nop imjabaim.
pdch pa cecim a cac cam,

cu-pa pec cac, a Chellaij,

CO n-of jlaino m'palab co h-oll,

ap each pe n-oul ac' comlonn.
ba Demm lim, a lafc luinO,

aic 1 compejoafp ap n-jlumt),

cio cm peap uaino bub beo oe,

ndc bub of jalcach jpeipe.

Conall 5wl''>^i^ ^^P 5^^ pmacr,

uamo po jemeb in cpaeb-plac,

ip aipe pm, nf pdch pann,

cpeipi nd cac a caem-clant).
Injen pij Ulab ampa

macaip ChonaiU cac-calma,

cib mac peacap puc leip uamO,

ap n-enjnum 'jd clamo com-cpuaib.

Gngnam

» iV«?er.— Nocha is used in the best is generally found in modem printed books,

MSS., and in the spoken Irish language and in the spoken language in the other

throughout the greater part of the pro- provinces. Nocha generally causes eclip-

vince of Ulster, for the negative nf, which sis, and nl aspiration of the initial oonso-

^^<^

More usual is it with me to remain in it

Behind all wounding heroes.
Never* have I seen

In my own time, east or west,

A man to contend with me, — ^no silly boast, —

Excepting only Cellach and Domhnall.
I would not fear that the affectionate Domhnall

Should pierce my fair body,

But I fear thee, O valiant hero,

And it is therefore I avoid thee.
The reason that I shim in fair contest

Thee more than all, O Cellach,

Is that I might revenge my spite mightily

Upon all the rest before meeting thee in combat.
It was certain to me, mighty hero,

That where our efforts would come in collision.

Which ever of us should survive.

That he would not be a revenger of an aggression.
Conall Gulban, who submitted to no control

From us the branching scion sprung.

Hence it is, — no weak reason —

That his fair race are mightier than all others.
The daughter of the illustrious king of Ulster

Was the mother of Conall^, the brave in battle.

And though but the son of a sister, he carried away from us

Our valour to his hardy race.

The

nant of tlie verb wliich foUows it. wife of NiaU of the Nine Hostages, and

y Woi the mother of Congcd. — In the mother of the two Conalls, and of Epghan,

tract on remarkable women, preserved in his sons. This does not agree with the

the Book of Lecan, foL 193, it is stated statement in the text
thatlndiu, daughter of Lnghaidh, was the

312

Gngnam Ula6, gapj a n-jal,
cpe ouchcup a bej-riidcap,
peac macaib Neill, ciap ip caip,
a Conall jlan d ^^l^bain.

Gnjnurh Conaill, cuing na car,
a cd reac each a Celiac,
d buijibi a emec, cen paiU,
a clannaib cpo6a Conaill.

If e po jab pim-fa in car,

ip in TTldipc-p pop Uluij Rac,
clann Conaill map capaio cloch,
pem* ajaiD 05 oich Ullcach.

Rop incaibecca uile,

DO pluaj pobla polc-buf&e,
o'peicem mo oeabca piu pin,
Coiboenaij ocup pfngm.

Rop mcoioecca uile.

Do pluaj poDla polc-bufbe,

d' peiccem mo corhlamD 'p in car

ocup CeannpaelaD pleaoach.

Rop incoiDecca uile,

Do pluaj; pobla polc-buiDe,
b'peicem mo comlamD gan cpdb,
ocup Conall, mac baeDdn.

D01I51 nd gach jleo Dib pin,
ope noca eel, a Cliellai];,
compac m laic, puc mo Idrh,
ITlaelDuin, mac Qe&a benndm.

*C(9»ai7^6rd!&an— It is stated in an Irisli that Conall, who was the youngest of the
romance, entitledEachtraChonaillGulbain, sons of Niall of the Nine Hostages, re-

3^3

The valour of the Ultonians, — ^fierce their prowess, —

Through the inheritance of his good mother,

Beyond the sons of Niall, east and west,

Existed in Conall of Gulban.*
The valour of Conall, prop in the battles,

Exists more than all in Cellach,

From the fierceness of his action, without doubt,

Among the brave sons of ConalL
It was he met me in the battle

On this Tuesday on Magh Rath,

The race of Conall, like rocks of stone

Are against me destroying the Ultonians.
It would have been worth the while of all to come.

Of the yellow-haired forces of Fodhla,

To view my conflict with

Coibhdhenach and Finghin.
It would have been worth the while of all to come,

Of the forces of yellow-haired Fodhla,

To view my combat in the battle

With Cennfaeladh the festive.
It would have been worth the while of all to come,

Of the yellow-haired forces of Fodhla,

To view my conflict without oppression

With Conall, son of Baedan.
More difficult than any conflict of these.

From thee I will not conceal it, O Cellach,

Was the combat with the hero who carried off my hand,

Maelduin, the son of Aedh Bennain.

odred that cognomen from liis having been Benbnlbin, a moimtaiQ about eight miles
fostered at Beann Gulbain, now corruptlj to the north of the town of Sliga

IRISH ABCH. 80C. 6. 2 S

Ni h-ea6 po bean ofm' mo Idirh
cngnurh mic Qeba bennain,
ace m airiipeip rujup call
ap mo oeaj-aioi, ap Domnall.

Ml h-cab po bean Dfm' mo Idim
ensnurii mic Qeba benndm,
ace m cf nac paibe ann,
h-ua Qinmipec na n-apo-clann.

Qnnum.

Imchupa Ulab ociij» allmapach impdicep ajaino. dp n-ofc a
n-oej-oafne, ocup ap cuppfijab a cupab, ocup ap n-epbaib Congail
5an pip a aiDeba, ocup jan aipiujjao a pebma aj cepapjam a
cuach ocup ic imbejail allmapach, ip ann pm po h-upmaipeao
aco-pum ap aen-comaipli, jep b'mgnao Ulaib ocup allmdpaij ap
cac dipo ip m cac-paf compaic pm o'upmaipi uile ap aen comaipli
jan labao n-imasallrha impe oo benam Doib, ocup gan cmoeab
cpuab-camjni nd comaipli, ocup ba h-i comaipb po cmnpeo a
n-uaill, a n-en^num, ocup a n-oglacup, a muipnn, a mipnec, ocup a
mileacachc Do claechluo ocup oo cepc-imlafc ap cldp, ocup ap
rime, ocup ap ceichcije, ap miceipc, ocup ap meacachc, ocuj» ap
mi-eangnam.

Nip ba claechloo coim^e o'd cupat)aib-]^ium in claeclot) pm,
ocup nip ba h-aiceppach bdiji na bipij na blab-n6ip o' Ullcaib na
D'allmapacaib m imlafc pin ap ap popbpac m imaipec ocup a
n-aijui o'lmpoo pip m aipb-pij h-ua n-Qmmipech ap imjabail
peann ocup puab-paebap ocup popmnaOa a pfp-laech, ocup cul-
pean^ opomanna a cacmileo x>o lejuo co Idn-oflep ap bpeich a
m-biobao. Ip o' iDnaib na h-imjabala pin po arcuipeoap pum a
n-aipm uppclaibe ocup a cachbepci comlaino, jup ba h-epaip
uacmap, uppcailci, ocup jup ba bpopnac beo, biDjac, booba, ocup

5«r

3^5

My hand was not cut off me

By the prowess of the son of Aedh Bennan,

But through the disobedience which I offered

To my good foster-father Domhnall.
My hand was not cut off me

By the prowess of the son of Aedh Bennan,

But by a person who was not there,

The grandson of Ainmire of great tribes.

Seldom, &c."

Let us now treat of the adventures of the Ultonians and foreign-
ers. After their nobles had been cut off, and their heroes vanquished,
and after the disappearance of Congal without knowing his fate, and
not observing his exertions in supporting his tribe and protecting his
foreigners, they all came to one determination, though it was sur-
prising that the Ultonians and foreigners should, from every part of
the field, all come to one resolution without calling a meeting to
confer in order to decide on the subject; and the resolution to which
they came was to exchange and barter their pride, their prowess,
their valour, their puissance, their courage, and their bravery, for
feebleness, timidity, flight, ill-fame, cowardice, and dastardliness.

This exchange was no exchange of advantage to their heroes, and
this barter for which they gave up the battle was not a barter of luck
or prosperity, or fame to the Ultonians and foreigners, viz., they turned
their faces from the monarch the grandson of Ainmire, to shun the
spears and red blades, and to leave the shoulders of their heroes and
the spines of their soldiers entirely at the mercy of their enemies. In
consequence of the precipitation of their flight they cast away their
arms of defence and warlike head-pieces, so that the great coats of mail,
the spears, and the broad shields which the Ultonians and foreigners
left on the middle of the field of battle, formed a startUng, horrific,

2 S 2 and

3x6

jup ba copaip cpuaio-gep, cpop-aiolennach cumaipc, ocuf jup ba
pal pa coll pal-gmmac pulamg cac laem-luipech, ocup Idijneao,
ocup lebap-pciac po pogpac Ulaio ocup allmapaij ap cepc-lap na
cach-laichpech pin. Qcc cena, nip caipbepc ocup nip rionacul
enij na en^nama o'Ullcaib na o'allmapachaib epmein ; uaip cio
aobal in eoail po pajpac, icip eacaib, ocup apmaib, ocup eoaijib,
ni h-aici po anpac, ocup ni h-uippe po puipjeoap plain pumio, na
jlepi 5^^^^^> ^^ apt-maici Gpenn, ace ip cpempi po rpiallpar,
ocup ip caipppi po cogaippec ic cojpaim Ulao ocup allmapac.
Qchc cena, po pa coiprec ocup po pa cupcaipcec jlapldch ocup
jillannpaio pep n-Gpenn o' aobaib ocup o' eodlaib in apmuiji o'
pajbail o pepaib Gpenn ap pocaino a pdjbdla. Odij; ba roipmepc
ocup ba cupbpoO cojpuma, ocup cinnenaip o' pepaib Gpenn paob-
olup, ocup popleci na peap popccioe, paen-rhapb, ina puac-laijib
paena, peinjcbela, puacaiji, pocappna puinb. Cpeara ocup cli-
pemnac na laec leonca laoapra lerniapb ic cuicmennaij ciuj-ba
ag imraipcpi airepgi pa copaib na cupao. Ocup Din pe h-imao
na n-eappac n-uarmap, n-uppcailci, ocup na n-apm n-eoapla n-up-
chappna ocup na n-op-claioem n-upnocc i n-aicbelib in apmuiji.
5up ba peiom ppichnumach o'pepaib a n-imbfn ap na h-aiplenjaib
dpmuiji pe h-ellmacc m aicenca ic cinnenup na cogpuma, jup ob
eao a moo co poipcip Ulaio ocup allmapaij pa peaoaib ocup pa
papaigib Ulao, munbao mupbell na mepaijecca ic mall-ceimniujao
in mop-jluaj ocup cuipleaOach m cmoenaip ic caipmepc na cpen-
pep. Cije, ocup copc5al, ocup ruaic-belach na epoch ic comjabail
a cell Do rappaccain ropaij in cecm pe h-ellmacc na h-imgabala.
Cen CO beDfp na h-aBaipi ocup na h-aippbeana pin ic abrhilleD
Ulao ocup allriiapac, po b'lmoa ilpiana upbaoaca eli ic popcao,
ocup ic pocujab poijine o'd n-ogbaoaib, ocup opoinji o'd n-oej-baf-
nib, .1. cac aen uaicib ap ap cuipepcap Gonial jlaip ocup jenn-
leca pe cup m caca, oo bdoap pein na m-buaipgib bapp-cuipleoaca,

bobba

3^7

and grand heap, and a hard, sharp, confused pile, and a barrier of
opposition not easily passable. However, this was no gift or reward
of protection, or quarter to the Ultonians and foreigners ; for though
prodigious was the booty they left behind, consisting of steeds, wea-
pons, and accoutrements, it was not at it the chiefs of the west, the
choice of the Gaels, and the arch-chiefs of Erin, stopped or delayed,
but they passed through it and flew over it, in pursuit of the Ulto-
nians and foreigners. Howbeit, the recruits [hirelings] and calones
of the men of Erin were loaded and enriched with the arms and
spoils of the field of slaughter, which they obtained from the men of
Erin merely for having gathered them. The men of Erin were im-
peded in their pursuit by the closeness and extensiveness of the
mangled bodies stretched crosswise beneath their feet in feeble,
woimded, and loathsome heaps of carnage; by the trembling and
quivering of the wounded, mangled, and half-dead heroes gasping in
death, and attempting to rise, under the feet of the pursuing heroes; and
by the many loathsome, mangled heaps, and by the weapons strewed
about, and the gold-hilted, naked, terrific swords, on the horrible field
of slaughter, so that it was a work of circumspection for the men to save
themselves from the hidden dangers of the field of slaughter, their
minds being so bent on the rapidity of pursuit ; so that their condi-
tion was such that the Ultonians and foreigners would have reached
the forests and wildernesses of Ulster, had not the bewildering of the
confusion impeded the movement of the great host, and the precipi-
tation of hurry obstructed the mighty men. The thickness, tumul-
tuousness, and misdirection of the wretches keeping one another
back, each striving to be first in the retreat, such was their anxiety
to shun the battle. And even though these symptoms and indications
should not have been confusing the Ultonians and foreigners, there
were still many other baleful causes which impeded and obstructed
troops of their youths and bodies of their better people, namely, all

3i8

booba, ocuf 1 n-^aifceoaib gle-Duaibpecha jabaiD, '56 popcao,
ocu|» '5a pocu^ao pc laccaib a Icanriiana. Cac aen Dib Dm po
oelig ocup po oipjcprap d copcjail cmocnaip, ocup a cuipleaoai5
cuaicbil up-copai5 na h-mgabala, 00 cuaoap 1 cenn a pcca co po
ofcpa ocup a lacaip gan lan-coigill; uaip Da m-beic in cpumne co
n-a cerpaib ap comup cac aem uairib-pium do bepab ap poppac
ocup ap imapcaiD luiD ocup lan-cablai6 D'pa^bdil cac aem icip
aichniD ocup anaicniD capa eip. T?o b'rniDa Dm epnail ocup mn-
comapca maDma ocup micapaiD ap UUcaib ocup ap allmapachaib
ip m uaip pm. Ro b'lmDa aipec ocup apD-plaic acupum ica pop-
caD ocup ica upgabail ap n-upnaiDm a anala aip pc ccmne na
rogpuma; ocup pep ic popcaD a capaD ocup a comceneoil 'jd
acac ocup 5a eaDap^uiDi mi anaD ocup im upnaiDi aici im DeJ-
jnfm, ocup \m De^rapaD Do Denam im cobaip ocup im cujnomaD a
cell. Qcc cena nf ap ciiip cocaigci comlumD po puijleaD aen
Dume acupum e-pem, acr D'pdgbail a capaD ocup a cumcaij ocup
a coiceli 1 n-iapneip m dpmuiji D'd eip, comaD piaiDe po poipeD
pem a peiDm ocup a popbaipi na popeicne. Ocup Dm po b'imDa
pep pocal, puaicniD, pap-mDill, paep ceneoil jan raipcpi jan
capaD ^an cpelmaiDechc pe camnellaib m ceciD, pe campemao
na cogpuTna.

Ocup Dm po b'lm&a pep jan uipeapbaiD cernie, na coipi, na
cepc-imcecca, leime na lacaip, na lan-cablaiD, ocup e ic luamam
ocup ic lain-eicelaij D'd juaillib ocup D'd sej-lariiaib ic cappac-
cain copaig m ceciD, pe h-ailgiup na h-mjabala. Ro b'imDa anD
Din aen Ddme imDa eli jan diperii, gan ainmniujaD oppo, ic upcpiall
eipemailco h-dnpaca, ocup ic cmDpcna capaiD co cpealmaiji, cen
CO puapaDap a ppeajpa im anab acu nd h-imupnaiDe impu.

Qcc cena, nf cainic Do jlame a jaipi nd d' paippmje a inD-
clecca aen Duine d' paipneiDpeb co >i-uili6e ecca ocup ilpiana m
dpmuije pin, mine caned co cumaip ; uaip ni cepna d' Ullcaib ap,

ace

3^9

of them on whom Congal had put locks and fetters before the com-
mencement of the battle, were now impeded and detamed by them
as dreadful up-tripping spancels and as truly oppressive snares of dis-
tress, for the heroes of the pursuit. But such of them as had sepa-
rated and escaped from the furious bewildering of precipitation, and
from the awkward stumbling in the front of the flight, took to their
heels vigorously and left the field unhesitatingly; for should each of
them possess the world with its cattle, he would have given it for
superabundance and excess of fleetness and speed to leave every
one, both known and unknown, behind. At this hour many were the
kinds and signs of defeat and prostration on the Ultonians. Many
a toparch and arch-chief of them was stopped and captured when out
of breath by the rapidity of the retreat ; one man stopping his friend
and relation, to request and beseech him to halt and make a stand,
and display good deeds and vigour, to aid and assist one another ; but
it was not for the purpose of sustaining the battle that any of them
thus addressed the other, but to leave his friend, companion and
comrade behind in the slaughter, in order that he himself might ad-
vance the farther from the exertion, struggle, and violence of the
pursuit. And many a haughty, nobly-dressed, well-attired, nobly-
born man was without leap, without vigour, without attire by the
faintness of the flight and the oppressiveness of the pursuit.

And also there was many a man who wanted not of step or leg or
power of motion, of leap or speed, bounding and flying with his shoul-
ders and arms striving to be foremost in the retreat from the eager-
ness of the flight. There were many others, however, who could not
be reckoned or named valiantly preparing for the deeds of arms, and
vigorously preparing for valour, although they did not meet a response,
the enemy not having staid or waited with them.

Howbeit, there came not any person who, either by the clearness
of his wisdom or extent of his intellect, who could fully relate the

losses

320

ace pe ceo pa pepoomun puilech, mac ImomaiTi, ocup vH cepna o'
allriiapacaib app, ace Duboiao opui, ocup lace Idn-rhapb ina leac-
coip, map popglep Conall Clojac m inaD eli :

Nf ceic beo oo'n c-pluaj Dap muip,
cic le Conjal, mac Scannail,
ace aen laec luibiup 50 h-oip,
in pian, ocup aen 'na leac-coip.

^ ConaU ClogaefL — He was a brother of see Keating's aooount of the Convention of

King Domhnall, the hero of this story, Dniim Ceat, in the reign of Aedh, son of

and is generally called the p(^-6inihiD, or Ainmire.
royal simpleton. For some account of him, " HU kff, — ^In the vellum copy no notice

321

losses and various slaughters of that battle-field, unless it should be
given in a summary ; for there escaped not of the Ultonians but six
hundred men who were under Ferdoman the Bloody, son of Imoman ;
and there escaped not of the foreigners but Dubhdiadh, the Druid,
who swam across to Scotland without ship or barque with a dead
hero tied to his leg, as Conall Clogach^ testifies in another place :

" There passed not alive of the host over the sea.
Which had come with Congal, son of Scannal,
But one hero who went frantic
Upon the sea, and one fettered to his leg"."

is given that the story ends here, but in nui^e pn^ i. e. "so far the stories of the

the paper one the foUowing words, which Battle of Magh Rath." — See Note at the

occur in this place, imply its conclusion : — end of the Feast of Dun na n-Gedh, pages

ConiD DO f5^lai5 cara IIIU151 T?ar co 86, 87,

IRISH ARCH. 80C. 6. 2 T

ADDITIONAL NOTES

aTa

3^5

ADDITIONAL NOTES.

NOTE A. Seepage 2.

IN the following pedigree of Domhnall, the grandson of Ainmire, monarch of Ireland,
and hero of the Battle of Magh Rath, the Editor has followed the most ancient
and most authentic manuscript authorities. Whether the series from Ugaine, or
Hugony the Great, down to king Domhnall, is a correct pedigree or not, the Editor can
neither assert nor deny ; it appears correct, inasmuch as the number of generations,
allowing thirty years to a generation, will be found to agree with the period of time
stated in Irish history to have elapsed from Hugony to DomhnalL But this is not
enough to prove its authenticity, for supposing it to have been fabricated, the forger,
if he were acquainted with the average number of years to be allowed for each gene-
ration, might have invented names, ad lUntum^ and given them the appearance of a real
genealogical series. Whether this pedigree was so forged or not must be ascertained
from the authenticity of the documents on which the list of the Irish monarchs rests,
and from its general agreement with our authentic history. Indeed if the pedigree of
any Irish line be correct it is that of the northern Hy-Niall from the period of the
introduction of Christianity, but whether it is to be depended upon or not for the
period before Christianity, cannot be satisfactorily proved imtil the question be settled
when the Irish first had the use of letters and the power of committing their pedigrees
to writing.

Barnard, Bishop of Killaloe, in his Inquiry concerning the Origin of the Scots in
Britain (Trans. Royal Irish Acad. vol. i Antiq. p. 27), has given us the following
opinion respecting the authenticity of the Irish genealogical tables: — "The Irish
genealogical tables which are still extant, carry intrinsic proofs of their being genuine
and authentic, by their chronological accuracy and consistency with each other, through
all the lines, collateral as well as direct ; a consistency not to be accounted for on
the supposition of their being fabricated in a subsequent age of darkness and ignorance,
but easily explained if we admit them to have been drawn from the source of real
family tecords and truth."

326

Pedigree of King Domhnall.

1. Ugaine Mor, monarch of Ireland, A. M. 3619, according to O'Flaherty '■ Chronologj.

2 Cobhthach Gael Breagh, monarch of Ireland, A. M. 3665.
I

3. Meilge Molbhthach, monarch of Ireland, A. M. 3696.

4. larangleo Fathach, monarch of Ireland, A. M. 3721.

5. Connla Cruaidhcealgach, monarch of Ireland, A. M. 3734.

6. Olioll Caiflf hiacUch, monarch of Ireland, A. M. 3738.

7. Eochaidh Foiltleathan, monarch of Ireland, A. M. 3766.

8. Aengus Tuirmeach, monarch of Ireland, A. M. 3787.

9. Enna Aighneach, monarch of Ireland, A. M. 3831.

10. Labhraidh Lore.

11. BlathachU.

12. Easaman.

13. Boighne Buadh.

14. Finnlogha.

15. Finn.

16. Eochaidh Feidhleach, monarch of Ireland, A. M. 3922.

1 7. Finn Eamhna.

18. Lughaidh Sriabh-n-dearg, monarch of Ireland, A. D. 65.

19. Crimthann Nianar, monarch of Ireland, A. D. 74.

20. Feradhach Finnfeachtnach, monarch of Ireland, A. D. 95.

21. Fiacha Finnola, monarch of Ireland, A. D. 119.

22. Tuithal Teachtmhar, monarch of Ireland, A. D. 130.

23. Feidhlimidh Beachtmhar, monarch of Ireland, A. D. 164.

24. Conn of the Hundred Battles, monarch of Ireland, A. D. 177.

25. Art, the Solitary, monarch of Ireland, succeeded A. D. 220, slain in 250.

26. Cormac Ulfada, monarch of Ireland, A. D. 254.

27. Cairbre Lifeachair, monarch of Ireland, A .D. 277.

28. Fiacha Sraibhtine, monarch of Ireland, A. D. 297.

29. Mnireadhach Tireach, monarch of Ireland, A. D. 331.

30. Eochaidh Muighmheadhoin, monarch of Ireland, A. D. 358.

31. Niall of the Nine Hostages, monarch of Ireland, A. D. 379*

32. Conall Gulban, chief of Tirconnell, slain A. D. 464.

33. Fergus Cennfota.

34. Sedna.

35. Ainmire, monarch of Ireland, snooeeded in 568, died in 571.

36. Aedh, monarch of Ireland, succeeded in 572, died in 599.

37. Domhnall, monarch of Ireland, the hero of the Battle of Kagh Bath, sneeeeded in 628, and

died in 642.

3^7

NOTE B. Seepage 19.

Nothing is more certain than that neither Bishop Ere of Slane, nor any of the
other twelve distinguished saints of the primitive Irish Church, could have been living
at the period to which this story refers, and, as has been already remarked, it is highly
probable that some serious errors have crept into the text through the carelessness
of transcribers. The Irish writers, however, were in the habit of ascribing acts to
their saints centuries after they had passed from this world. For instance, whenever
any sudden misfortune had happened to the plunderer of a distinguished Irish church,
it was said to have been caused by the patron saint of that church, either through his
intercession, or by his spiritual presence in corporeal form. Thus we are told that
after Felim Mac Crimhthainn, king of Cashel, had plundered Clonmacnoise, in the
year 846, he saw the spirit of Saint Elieran, patron of that church, approach him with
his crozier in his hand, of which he gave him a thrust which caused an internal disease,
of which the king afterwards died. It is also recorded that in the year 1 130 one of
the Danes of Limerick robbed the altar of Clonmacnoise of several valuable cups and
chalioes, and repaired with his booty to Cork, Lismore, and Waterford, with the inten-
tion of setting sail for some foreign country, but that Saint Kieran met him wherever
he went with his crozier, and caused contrary winds, so that he could not pass out
of the country. The story is given as follows in Mageoghegan's Translation of the
Annals of Clonmacnoise, made in 1627 : — "The Jewells that were stollen from out
the Church and Alter of Clonvicknose were found with one Gillecowgan, a Dane
of Limbrick, the said Gillecowgan was apprehended by Connor O'Brien, and by him
delivered over to the Family [i. e. Monks] of Clonvicknose, who at the time of his
arraignment confessed openly that he was at Cork, Lismore, and Waterford expecting
for wind to goe over seas with the said Jewells. All the other passengers and shipps
passed with good gales of wynde out of the said townes save only Gillecowgan, and
said as soon as he would enter a Shipp-board any Ship he saw Saint Queran with
his staff or Bachall return the Shipp back again untill he was soe taken ; this much
he confessed at the time of the putting of him to death by the said Family."

We also read that when the Earl Strongbow was dying, he acknowledged that
he saw Saint Bridget of Kildare coming over him in his bed, and that she struck
him in the foot, on which she inflicted a wound, which afterwards mortified and caused
his death. These and several similar instances would almost induce one to believe
that the writer of this story intended his readers to understand that these saints were
only spiritually present ; but still it is certain, from the manner in which he speaks,
that he supposed these saints to have been living at the period to which he refers.

328

NOTE C. Seepages 33-42.
Pedigbee of C0N6AL, Kino of Ulidia.

1. Rudhraighe Mor, monarch of Ireland, A. M. 3845, and ancestor of the Clanna Rudhraighe.

2. Ging^.

3. Caip^.

4. Fiacha.

5. Caa.'

6. Amergin.

7. Conall Cearnach. — See Annala of Tighernach at A. D. 33.

8. Irial Glunmhar, king of Uladh, or Ulster, for forty years. — See Tighemacb, ad ann. 42-62.

9. Fiacha Finamhnuis, king of Ulster for twenty years. — Ann. Tig. 'ad ann. 82.

10. Muiredhach.

11. Finnchadh.

12. Dunchadh.

13. Gialichadh.

14. Cathbhadh.

15. Rochraidhe.

16. Mai, monarch of Ireland for four years, and king of Ulster for thirty-fiTC years. — See p. 329.

17. Ferb.

18. BresaL

19. Tibraide Tireach, king of Ulster for thirty years. — Tighemacb. ad ann. 181.

20. Fergus Gailine.

21. Aengus Gaibhnen, king of Ulster for fifteen years. — Tighemach, ad ann. 222.

22. Fiacha Araidhe, ancestor of the Dal Araidhe, and king of Ulster for ten years. — lb. ad ann. 236.

23. Gas.

24. Feidhlim, king of Ulster for scTcn years.

25. Imchadh, king of Ulster for eight years.

26. Ros, king of Ulster for two years. — Tighemach, ad ann. 248.

27. Lnghaidh.

28. Eochaidh Cobha.

29. Crunnbadhruighe, king of Ulster for twenty-two years.

30. Caelbadh, king of Ulidia for fifteen years, and monarch of Ireland for one year, slain A. D. 358.

31. Connla, who was cotemporary with St. Patrick.

32. Fothadh.

33. Maine.

34. Connla.

35. Eochaidh, king of Ulidia for twenty years, died in the year 563. — Ann. Tig.

36. Baedan.

37. Fiachna Lurgan, also called Flaehna Finn.

I-

38. Scannlan of the Broad Shield. Cellach. Mongan, slain in 625.

39. Congal, who fonght the Battle of Magh Bath against the monarch Dombnall in 637.

329

List of the Kings of Ulster who dwelt at Emania, extracted from the
Annals of Tiqhernach, as published bt Dr. O'Conor.

1. Cimbaeth Mac Fintain, eighteen years, ante CHristum, 305.

2. Eochaidh Faebhur, son of Fedach, twenty years A. C. 247.

3. Conchobhar Both, son of Cathair, thirty years A. C. 204.

4. Fiachna, son of Feidhlim, sixteen years A. C. 1 79.

5. Daire, son of Forgo, seventy-two years A. C. 1 16.

6. Enda, son of Bochadh, five years A. C. 92.

7. Fiach, son of Fadhcon, twelve years A. C. 89.

8. Finnchadh, son of Baicedh, twelve years.

9. Conchobhar Mael, son of Fuith, twelve years A. C. 63.

10. Cormac, son of Lactighe, seventeen years A. C. 48.

1 1. Mochta, son of Mnrchuradh, three years A. C. 47.

1 2. Eochaidh, son of Daire, three years A. C. 44.

13. Eochaidh, son of Loich, three years.

14. Fergus, son of Leide, twelve years A. C. 31.

15. Conchobhar Mac Nessa, sixty years A. C. 25, obiit A. D. 37.

16. Cumscrach, son of Conchobhar, tliree years.

17. Glaisne, son of Conchobhar, nine years.

18. Irial Glunmhar, the son of Conall Ceamach, forty years A. D. 44.

19. Fiacha Finamhnids, son of Irial Glunmhar, twenty years, slain A. D. 82.

20. Fiatach Finn, twenty-six years A. D. 108.

21. Elim Mac Conrach, ten years A. D. 128.

22. Mai Mac Bochraidhe, thirty-three years A. D. 135.

23. Bresal Mac Briuin, nineteen years A. D. 162.

24. Tibraide Tireach, thirty years A. D. 181.

25. Ogaman, son of Fiatach Finn, twelve years A. D. 211.

26. Aengus Gaibhnen, fifteen years A. D. 222.

27. Fiacha Araidhe, ten years A.D. 236.

28. Fergus Duibhdedach and his brothers, four years A. D. 248.

29. Bos Mac Imchadha, one year [or two, according to other authorities] A. D. 249.

30. Aengus Finn, son of Fergus Duibhdedach, one year, 250.

31. Fergus Fogha, the last fvJl king of Ulster, who resided at Emania seventy-five

years, 254 A.D., slain 332.

IRISH ABCH. 80C. 6. 2 U

330

List of the Kings of Ulidia, or nominal Kings of Ulsteb, frou the Destruc-
tion OF Emania in 333, to Conoal, who was slain in the Battle of Maoh
Rath, taken frou Duald Mac Firbis's Genealogical Book, p. 528.

These kings, as before observed, though called hj the Irish writers kings of Uladh
or Ulster, possessed only that part of the province extending from Newry to Slemmish,
in the county of Antrim, and from Gleann Righe and the Bann to the sea. On this
subject O'Flaherty has written the following observation in his Ogygia, Part III.
c 78, p. 372 : — " Quamvis autem apud scriptores patrios sic eos vocare moris sit, titulo
tenus solum ita appellandi sunt, postquam ab Orgielliae conditoribus, et non ita diu
postea h, Nielli Magni regis Hiberni® filiis tmiversa fere Ultonia manu potenti esset
subacta : Rudricia gente, ac Dalfiatachia (Herimonis quidem d sobole, sed Rudriciis a
multis ssculis inserta) intra unius pene comitatus Dunensis terminos, quam prisci
Ulidiam dixerunt, conclusis. Hinc igitur hujus ditionis principes non Ultonis, sed
Ulidise reges discriminis ergo in posterum dicemus. In qu& ditione pauci e Rudriciis
rerum summa potiti simt pr» Dalfiatachiis, qui eam ad ingressum istuc Anglorum,
Anno ii77i tenuerunt, sicut pauci e Dalfiatachiis reges Ultonie erant pne Rudriciis
ante excidium Emaniss.''

1. Eochaidh, son of Lughaidh, son of Aengus Finn, king of Ulidia twenty years.

2. Crunnbadhruighe, twenty years.

3. Fraechar, son of Crunnbadhruighe, ten years.

4. Fergus, son of Fraechar, forty years.

5. Caelbadh, son of Cnmnbadhruighe, fifteen years. He was slain in the year 361,

according to the Annals of Innisfallen.

6. Saran, son of Caelbadh, twenty-six years.

7. Eochaidh, son of Muiredhach Muinderg, twenty-four years.

8. Cairell, son of Muiredhach Muinderg, twenty-three years. He flourished in the

year 508 according to the Annals of Tighemach.

9. Eochaidh, son of Connla, twenty years. He died in the year 553 according to the

Annals of Tighemach.

10. Fergus, son of Aengus, son of Oilill, son of Forgo, four years. He is mentioned

in the Annals of Tighemach at the year 554.

1 1. Deman, son of Cairell, four years. He died in the year 571 according to the An-

nals of Ulster.

12. Baedan, son of Cairell, twenty years. He died in the year 581 according to the

Annals of Tighemach. He made an attempt at recovering the ancient palace
of Emania in 578, but was repulsed by the Clann Colla.

33»

1 3. Aedh Dubb, son of Suibhne, seven years. He was slain, according to the Annals

of Tighemach, in the year 588.

14. Fiacha Craich, son of Baedan, son of Cairell, thirty years. He was slain by the

Picts in 608.

1 5. Fiachna, son of Deman, son of Cairell, two years. He fled from the Battle of Cnil

Gael in 601, according to the Annals of Ulster, and was slain in the Battle of
Ardcoran, in Dal Riada, in the year 627.

16. Congal Claen, son of Scannlan of the Broad shield, was king of Ulidia ten years,

when he was slain in the Battle of Magh Rath.

NOT£ D. Seepages 108 and 109.
The ancient Division of Time.

The smaller divisions of time here given have long fallen into disuse. They are to
be found, however, in many of the ancient writers on technical chronology.

In Bede's works (tom. L coL 117. Basil, 1563) there is a tract entitled De Divisi'
anibtis temporumy written in the form of a dialogue between a master and his disciple,
in which the fourteen divisions of time are thus enumerated — " Atomus, momentum,
minutum, punctus, hora, quadrans, dies, hebdomada, mensis, vicissitudo triformis,
annus, cyclus, setas, seculum, mxmdus :'' and for this the authority of Isidorus [His-
palensis] '' in Libro Etymologiarum quinto et decimo tertio'' is cited. — See the works
of Isidore, edited by Fr. Jac de BreuL FoL CoL Agrip. 161 7, Lib. v. c. 29, and Lib.
xiiL c. 29.

There is also a dialogue De CompvtOy attributed to Ehabanus, abbot of Fulda, who
flourished in the ninth century, published byBaluze, Miscellan. Sacr. tom. L p. i, 8vo.
Paris, 1678, or tom. iL p. 62, of the folio edition, edited by Mansi; Lucse. 1761. In this
work the divisions of time are thus given : — '* Discipulus. Divisiones temporis quot
sunt? Magisteb. Quatuordecim. Disc. Quse? Mao. Atomus, ostentum, momen-
tum, partes, minutum, punctus, hora, quadrans, dies, mensis, vicissitudo, annus, secu-
lum, setas." In the definitions, however, of the relative magnitudes of these parts of
time Bede and Rhabanus differ both from each other and from our author.

Bede (coL 119) thus explains the origin of the atom: — ** Momentum dividis in
duodecim partes, unamquamque partem de duodecim partibus momenti dividis in qua-
draginta septem partes, quadragesima septima pars, quingentesima sexagesima pars
momentL Sic est atomus in tempore. Si autem oolligis simul quadraginta septem
duodecies invenies quingentos sezaginta quatuor atomos." That is to say, a moment
contains 12 X 47 = 564 atoms.

2U2

332

He defines a moment to be the space of time " quamdiu palpebrae requiescunt,"
and he tells us that four moments make a minute, ten minutes a point ; five lunar, or
four solar points an hour ; six hours a quadrant ; four quadrants a day.

With Rhabanus, an atom is the 376th part of an ostentum : an ostentum is the
sixtieth part of an hour : a moment the fortieth part of an hour, containing one osten-
tum and an half, or 564 atoms.

A part, so called ^* a partitione circuli zodiaci, quem tricenis diebus per menses
singulos findunt," contains two moments and two-thirds, or four ostents, and therefore
1504 atoms.

A minute, *' a minore intervallo, quasi minus momentum, quia minus numerat,
quod majus implet," is the tenth part of an hour, and is therefore equivalent to a part
and a half, or four moments, L e. six ostents, or 2256 atoms.

A point (puncfus) " a parvo puncti transcensu qui fit in horologio," is the fourth
part of an hour (in certain lunar computations the fifth), and contains two and a half
minutes, three and three-fourth parts, ten moments, fifteen astents, and 5640 atoms.
So that an hour, in the solar computation, contains four points, ten minutes, fifteen
parts, forty moments, sixty ostents, and 22,560 atoms.

The quadrant is the fourth part of a day, and a day contains, therefore, twenty-
four hours, ninety-six points, 240 minutes, 360 parts, 960 moments, 1440 ostents, and
541,440 atoms.

According to the Irish author the atom is the 376th part of an ostent ; an ostent
two-thirds of a bratha ; a bratha three-fifths of a part; a part two-thirds of a minute;
a minute two-fifths of a point ; a point one-fourth of an hour ; an hour one-sixth of
a quarter ; and a quarter the fourth part of a day.

So that the day contains four quarters, twenty-four hours, ninety-six points, 240
minutes ; 360 parts ; 600 brathas ; 900 ostents, and 338,400 atoms.

Upon a comparison of these tables it will be seen that the atom of Rhabanus is five
times, and the Irish atom eight times the atom of Bede.

It appears also that the bratha of the Irish author is in like manner eight times the
momentum of Bede, which identifies these divisions, the Irish atom being the 564th
part of the bratha, as the atom of Bede is the 564th part of the momentum.

The Irish word bpara, therefore, appears to have relation to Bede's definition of a
moment, quamdiu palpebrce requiescunt; bpaca, bpacpa, or bpapa na pula, "the
twinkling of an eye," is a phrase still in conmion use in the south of Ireland: although
it is now more generally pronounced ppeabao na pula, the starting of an eye ; na bi
ppeaba na pula muic, " do not be the twinkling of an eye away." This is stated on
the authority of Mr. Eugene Curry, who has furnished the folluwiiig example irom an

333

ancient romance, entitled " The Wanderings of Maelduin^s Canoe," copies of which
are preserved in the Leabhar na h-Uidhre, and in a vellum MS. in the Library of
Trinity Ck)llege, (H. 2. 16.)

Poceipoac cq^p lappein him muip naiU copmail ppi n^l, ocup an oop leo-peom
nip paelpoD pern r\a6 in cupac co n-acacap lappain p6'n muip porib annfp ouine
cumcacca ocup ap alamo, ocup ar ciac anmamia mop n-uocmop, biopcotoe h-i
cpuno ano, ocup cam o'almaim ocup inoilib immon cpono im macuaipo, ocup
peap CO n-a apm hi pappoo in cpaino co pciar, ocup jai, ocup claioiub. Qmail ac
connaipcpeoe in n-anmanna mop uc boi ip in cpuno, c6ic app pop eeceo pa cecoip.
Simp in c-anmanna a bpajic uao ap in cpuno, ocup pupmio a ceno 1 n-opuim in
oaim ba mo oo'no almai, ocup ppenjaip laip ip in cpano, ocup nop ireno po c^coip
ppia bpocao pula.

'' They then torn away (from that island) into another sea, which was like unto a
cloud, and they scarcely had turned off, as they thought, when they saw in the sea
under them fortified mansions and a fine country ; and they perceived a great terrific
serpentine animal in a tree there, and a flock of cattle, large and small, around the
tree, and an armed man near the tree, with a shield, spear, and sword. When they saw
the great monster in the tree they immediately retreated away. The monster stretched
forth his neck out of the tree, and darting his head into the back of the largest ox
of the herd, dragged him into the tree, and immediately devoured him in the twinkling
of an ^e."

The dictionaries do not give the word bpaca in any of the foregoing forms : but
we find bpeab and ppeab, a bounce, a start. Armstrong, in his Gselic Dictionary,
has the word ppab-puil, a blear eye, a rheumy eye : also ppiob and ppiobao, a wink
or twinkle of the eye. These words are probably of cog^te origin.

It may be observed, that in the system of the Irish author the ostent and the bra-
tha are together equal to a part, or the fifteenth of an hour ; and that the ostent is
equal to 376 atoms, as in the system of Rhabanus, although the value of the atom
itself differs, the Irish atom being eight-fifths of the atom of Rhabanus. It is likewise
remarkable that the bratha of the Irish author, like the moment of Rhabanus, is eqiial
to one ostentum and an half ; thereby again identifying the bratha with the moment

Bede makes no mention of the Ostentum in the work which has been above quoted :
but in another treatise, De temporum ratione, cap. iL, he attributes its origin to astro-
logical speculations, and speaks of it thus : — ^* Attamen Mathematici in explorandis
hominum genitivis, ad atomum usque pervenire contendunt, dum Zodiacum circulum
in xiL signa, signa singula in partes xxx., partes item singulas in punctos xiL, punctos

334

singulos in momenta xL, momenta singula in ostenta Ix., distribuunt, ut oonsiderata
diligentius positione stellarum, fatum ejus qui nascitur quasi absque errore deprehen-
datur.'' — (0pp. tom. ii. pa 53.) See also the Gloss of Bridefurtus Bamesiensis on this
Treatise of Bede.

The following Table, exhibiting the several subdivisions of time, in parts of an
hour, as they are given by our author, by Rabanus, and by Bede, may be convenient
to the reader.

Irish.

Rhabanus.

Bede.

An atom,

An ostent,

A bratha,

A moment,

A part,

A minute,

A point,

An hour,

A quarter,

TfhsTS

• • • •

• • . •

• a • .

. « • .

i
1

335

NOTE £. Seepages 99 and 165.

Genealogical Table, showing the Descent op O'Canannan, O'Muldory, and Mac

gillafinnen, now leonard.

N. B — The Letters R, H, tignify Rex Hibemue, in this Table, The Numbers are continued from Note A.

31. Niall of the Nine Hottaga. monarch of Lreland.— See Note A. No. 31.

33. ConaU GiUban, slain A. D. 464.

I
33. Fergaa Cennfota.

Ainmlie,

34. Sedna

35.

36. Aedh, R. H.

37.

Fddhlim.

« « I

R. H. Saint Columbkill,

born in 519* died

in 596.

38.
39.

40.

Domhnall, R. H., hero of the Battle
I ofMagfaRath.

Aengus.

I
Loingseach, prince of Tiroonnell in 670.

I and aftenrarda monaich c^ Ireland
from 695 to 704.

Flaithbhertach. R. H.fimn 727 to 774.

Brenainn.

I
Columb.

Aedh.

Tine.

I
Ronan.

St. Adamnan, 8th Abbot of lona, bom A. D. 624.

Loingwcb, slain 749.
His descendants can-
not be traced.

41. Aedh Moinderg.
43. Domhnall Ceiiic.
43. Loing8ech.\H
44.
45.

thbhertw:h.llH

Diarmaid.

Oilla Cdloim. prince of
Tiroonnell, died
975.

RuaidriBfor, slsin 1030.
History is silent
about his descen-
dants.

Canannan, ancestor of the O'Can-
-J annains.

BfaeUkbbaiU.
I

46.

47. CuUeon O'Canannain

48. Loingsech O'C.
49.

41. Morchadh.

42. Bfadbresail, prince of TixoonneU. slain in 817.

43. Aengus.

44. Blaeldoraidh, ancestor of O'Muldory.

45. MaJbresail, prince of Tiroonnell, slain 896. His brother Fogartoch

I died in 899.

46. Aengos O'Muldory, prince of Tirconnell, slain 960.

47. Muirchcrtach O'Muldory, slain 1089.

Flaithbhertadi 0*C., prince of Tircon'
nell. died 999.

50.
51.
52.

Ruaidhri, prince of Tiroonnell, slain
I 1071.

Domhnall, prince of Tiroonnell, slain
1083.

Domchadh O'Canannain. His line
disappeared from history in the
twelfth century.

48. Ciiochan O'M.

49. Gilla-Columb O'M.

50. Niall O'M.. prince of
Tiroonnell,
died 1069.

51. Flait^bhertaefa

O'Muldory. His
descendants cannot
be traced.

48.

faeiruanaidh]

49. Gilla-Finnen. progenitor of Mac Gilla-
I Finnen, now Leonard.

60. Mac-Raith.

51. Gilla-Fktruic.

52. Conehobhar DaU.

53. DomhnaU. died 1281.

54. William Bfeith, slain 1321.

Fergal.

I
Aengus.

55. Ragnnall. or Randal.

56. Henry Croasach.

57. Brian, died 1445. 57. Toirdhealbhach.

58. Toirdhelbach, died
1492. according to
the Four Masters.

58. Donnehadh, 1429.

59. Locmainn Mor.

60. Locnlainn Oge.

61. Brian Doreha.

62. John Mac Gilla Finnen, flourished about

the year 1612. The present repre-
sentative of this fiunily. which is one
of the most royal in Ireland, is un-
known.

336

NOTE F. See page 99.
Table showing the Descent op O'Donnbll, O'Gallagher, O'Dohebtt, and O'Boyle.

34. Sedna — See Note E, No. 34.

8.1. Ainmire, B. H. from 568 to
I 571.

86. Aedli, B. H. firom 57S to 599.

37. Maelcobha, R. H. from 619 to
615. He waa the eldeat
son of the monarch Aedh.

38. CeUach«B.H.firam642to654.

39. Domhnall.

40. Donnchadh.

41. Boaidhri.

42. Buarcan.

36. Lughaldh, ancestor of the

I Cinel Loigbdheach.

86. Bonan.

37. Gerbli.

38. CennfkMiladh.

43. Gailchobhar. ancestor
O'Gallagher.

44. Maj^inus.

45. Donnchadh O'Gallagher.

46. Amhlaoibh 0*6.

47. DomhnaU O'G.

48. Diannaid O'G.

49. Aedh O'G.

50. MMlmanaidh O'G.

51. Niebol O'G.

52. Donnchadh O'G.

53. Fergal O'G.

54. Aedh O'G.

55. GiUa-Cohnhde O'G.

56. Nichol O'G.

57. John O'G.

-I

Flaman.

Maengal.

Docnartach, progenitor
I of O'Doherty.

Mawighal.

Donnchadh O'D.

Maenghal O'D.

DomhnaU O'D.
I

39. Molidiertach.

I-

40. Dalach.

ingest son,
in 868.

41. Eignechan,diedln901.

42. DomhnaU Mor,_progcnitor

I oftheO'DonneUa.

43. Cathhhair.

Bradagan.

BaigheU, progenitor
I O'Boyle.

Oarbban.
Aindlles O'Boyle.

44. Gina.ChristO*D.diedt088. OiUa-Brighde O'B.

45. Cathfahair O'DoondL

Cellach 0*6.

Do n nc h ad h Doon O'D. ^g ^^ Q'DonnelL

ncn

DomhnaU Finn 0*0.
Conchdbhar O'D.
Diannaid O'D.
Mnirchertaeh 0*D.
Aengns O'D.
Boaidhri O'D.
DomhnaU O'D.
Conchobhar O'D.
AendUes O'D.
DomhnaU, died 1342.
John O'D.* snod. 1842.

DomhnaU Og,
died 1874.

-I

Lochlainn. 08. Donnchadh. 58. Aedh O'G.

Bishop of
Baphoe,
d. 1438.

59. Tuathal. 59. Buaidhri O'G.

60. Edmond, 60. John O'G.

I ^Jm4. ^1- TiisthalBalbh, chief, d. 1541.

61. Eoghan, 62. Sir John O'G.
chief, I
d.1560. 63. Cathaoir O'G., 1575.

Conchobhar an dnigh
I O'D., died 1413.

DomhnaU. died 1440.

Brian Dubh, died 1496.

Conchobhar Carrsch,
died 1516.

Feidhlim O'D.

John O'D., died 1582.
i

47. Tidhg O'DonneU

48. Aedh O'DonneU.

49. DomhnaU O'DonneU.

50. Donnchadh O'DonneU.

51. Eigneehan, died 1206.

52. DomhnaU Mor, died 1213.

53. DomhnaU Og, died 1264.

54. Aedh, 1383.

55. Niall Gaibh, 1346.

56. Tolrdhelbhach an Fhiona,

I 1415.

57. NiaU Garbh, 1487.

Conchobhar 0*B.

Menmac O'B.

I
Alndiles O'B.

Aedh 0*i{.

IfoomanO'B.

NiaU Boadh O'B.

TViirdhelbhach Blor.

Toirdhelhach Og.

NiaU O'B.

TdiA]

Ledh

58. Aedh Bnadh, 1505.

59. Aedh Dubh, 1537.

60. Bfaghnns, 1568.

ihelbhach O'B.

TadlwO'B.

TsdlwOge.

Toirahelbhadi Btiadh
O'Boyle. chief of Boy.
lagfa. in the prennt
county of DooegaL

62. Art. 11. 1590. 54, TtLthal O'GaUagher. John Oge O'D.

63. Eoghan.

64. Aedh.

Sir Cahir O'Doherty,
slain A. D. 1608.

61. Aedh, died 1600.

62. Aedh Buadh,fledto Spsin

where he died in the year
1602. His brother Bory
was created F«rl of Tir-
conneU by King James I.
He was the most power-
ful, but not the senior
Tcprescntstire of CooaU
Gttlban.

65. Art.

66. AedhOgwasUvinginthe
latter part of the seven-
teenth centoiy, and was
the senior representative
of the rsoe (A ConaU
Oulban.

61. Calbhach, died 1566.

62. Conn, died 158S.

68. Sir NiaU Gaxbh, d. 1626.
I

64. Col. MsnuB, slain 1646.

65. Boger. or Buaidhri. a.

I Blargaret Sheile.

66. Col. Manus, slain 1736.

67. Hugh More.

NcalGazlih.d. Ull.

68. sir

69. Sir Neal Bee|^.

70. Sir Bichasd Anncsicy

O'DonneU, the pfv-
aeot chief of this tiac.

337

The following Notices op the Principality op Tieconnell, translated from
THE Annals of the Four Masters, will show that the O'Donnells had lit-
tle Sway in Tieconnell till after the arrival of the English in Ireland.

641. Maelbresail and MaelanfaidH died, and Flann Eanaigh was mortally wounded.

These were of the race of Conall Gulban.
670. Dungal, son of Maeltuile, chief of Cinel Boghaine, was slain bj Loingsech, the

son of Aengus, chief of Cinel Conaill.
762. Murchadh, the son of Flaithbhertach, lord of Cinel Conaill, was slain.
749. Loingsech, son of Flaithbhertach, lord of Cinel Conaill, died.
817. Maelbresail, son of Murchadh, lord of Cinel Conaill, was slain by Murchadh, son

of Maelduin.
868. Dalach, son of Muirchertach, lord of Cinel Conaill, was slain. [He was the

first person of the O'Donnell line who obtained chief sway in the territory.

See A.D. 901].
896. Maelbresail, son of Maeldoraidh, lord of Cinel Conaill, was slain in the battle of

Sailtin by Murchadh, son of Maelduin, lord of Cinel Eoghain.
899. Fogartach, son of Maeldoraidh, lord of Cinel Conaill, fell on his own spear, and

died in consequence of it.
901. Eignechan, son of Dalach, son of Muirchertach, lord of Cinel Conaill, died. [He

was also of the line of the O'Donnells],
955. Maolcoluim O'Canannain, lord of Cinel Conaill, died.
960. Aengus O'Maeldoraidh, lord of Cinel Conaill, was slain by the Cinel Conaill

themselves.
962. Murchertach O'Canannain, lord of Cinel Conaill, was slain by his own people.
965. Maoiliosa O'Canannain, lord of Cinel Conaill, was slain.
974. Gilla-Coluim O'Canannain, lord of Cinel Conaill, went on a predatory excursion

into Offaly. In the next year he was slain by Domhnall O'Neill, monarch of

Ireland.
978. Tighernan O'Maeldoraidh, lord of Cinel Conaill, was slain.
989. Aedh O'Maeldoraidh, lord of Cinel Conaill, died.
996. Ruaidhri, son of Niall O'Canannain, lord of Cinel Conaill, died.
999. Flaithbhertach O'Canannain, lord of Cinel Conaill, was slain by his own people.
1 010. Maelruanaidh O'Maeldoraidh, lord of Cinel Conaill, was captured by Brian Boru.
1026. Maelruanaidh O'Maeldoraidh, lord of Cinel ConaQl, went over sea on a pilgri-
mage, and died on his pilgrimage the next year.
1029. Muirchertach O'Maeldoraidh, was slain by theO'Canannains at Rath-Canannain.
IRISH arch. soc. 6. 2 X

338

1030. Ruaidhri O^Canannain, lord of Cinel Conaill, was slain at the Mudhom [now
the river Mourne, near Lifford] by Aedh O'Neill.

1045. Flaithbhertach O'Canannain, lord of Cinel Conaill, died.

1059. Niall O'Maeldoraidh, lord of Cinel Conaill, died penitently.

1 07 1 . Ruaidhri O'Canannain, lord of Cinel Conaill, was slain by Aengus O'Maeldoraidh.

1075. l^onnchadh O'Canannain, lord of Cinel Conaill, was slain.

1083. Domhnall O'Canannain, lord of Cinel Conaill, was slain by his own people.

1085. Murchadh O'Maeldoraidh, lord of Cinel Conaill, tower of the magnificence, hos-
pitality, and valour of the north, died.

1093. Aedh O'Canannain, lord of Cinel Conaill, was blinded by Domhnall O'Loughlin,
king of Ailech.

1 1 35. Ruaidhri O'Canannain, lord of Cinel Conaill, a warlike tower of defence, chari-
table, and humane, was slain by the men of Magh Itha [Barony of Raphoe].

1 153. Flaithbhertach O'Canannain, lord of Cinel Conaill, was drowned, with his wife
Duvcola, the daughter of Turlogh O'Conor, monarch of Ireland.

1156. Aedh, son of Rory O'Canannain, lord of Cinel Conaill, was slain by O'Kane.

1 160. Two O'Maeldoraidhs were treacherously slain by the Aithcleirech O'Canannain,
lord of Cinel Conaill, and the same Aithcleirech and two O'Canannains were
slain in revenge by the Cinel Conaill.

1 1 65, Maghnus O'Canannain, lord of Cinel Conaill, died.

1 172. O'Maeldoraidh was defeated by the Cinel Eoghain.

1184. The monastery of Assaroe [Eas Ruaidh], was founded by Flaithbhertach
O'Maeldoraidh.

1 197. Flaithbhertach O'Maeldoraidh, lord of Cinel Conaill, Cinel Eoghain, and Oriel,
defender of Temur, heir presumptive to the crown of Ireland, a second ConaU
in valour, another Cuchullin in feats of arms, another Guaire in hospitality,
and another Mac Lughach in heroism, died on Inis Samhaoir [now Fish Island,
in the river Erne, close to the cataract of Assaroe], on the second day of Febru-
ary, in the thirtieth year of his reign, and fifty-ninth of his age. Immediately
after his death, Eachmarcach O'Doherty assumed the chieftainship of Cinel-
Conaill, but was slain a fortnight after his inauguration by John De Courcey.

1 2CX). Eigneachan O'Donnell was lord of Cinel Conaill.

1 207. Eigneachan O'Donnell, lord of Cinel Conaill, was slain.

NOTE G. Seepage 122.
O'Farrell, in his Linea Antigua, and M. Laine, Genealogist to Charles X., in his
pedigree of Count Mac Carthy, have taken many liberties with the ancient Irish autho-
rities in giving the descent of the Munster families. M. Laine actually falsifies his autho-

339

rities, and O'Farrell writes the following very incorrect remark under Lugadius, whom
he makes, without any authority* the eldest son of Oilioll Flannbeg, king of Munster,
and fourth in descent from Oilioll Olum, the ancestor of all the nobility of Munster of
the Heberian race :

" Lugadius, king of Munster, for three years, had a younger brother, Darius Cearb,
ancestor to O'Donovan, O'Cuilen of Carbery, &c., and to Criomthan Mor, king of
Dalrieda, in Scotland, from whom descended many families there. This Lugad had
two sons by a second wife, yiz., Lughach, from whom the territory of Lughach-£ile is
so called ; and Cobhthach, a quo O'Cobhthay, of Cuil-feadha.^'

But O'Flaherty, who is a far better authority than O'Farrell, agrees with the most
authentic Irish MSS. in making Lugadius, not the Jlrsty but the third son of Olioll
Flannbeg ; and in making Crimthann Mor, not King of Dalrieda in Scotland, but mo*
narch of all Ireland. His words are as follows :

^^Anno 366. Crimthannus filius Fidachi Heberio e semine Achaio Mogmedonio
sororio suo Temorise extremum diem quiete claudenti substituitur Bex Hibemise annis
tredecim. Transmarinis expeditionibus in Gallia, & Britannia memorabilis erat : uxo-
rem habuit Fidengam e regio Connactis stemmate, sed nullam sobolem reliquit

** Crimthanni regis abavus Fiachus Latus vertex rex Momoniae duos Olillos genuit
Flannmor & Flannbeg cognominibus distinctos. Olillus Flannmor rex Momonis sobolis
expers Olillum Flannbeg fratrem adoptavit OliUo Flannbeg regi Momoniae supererant
Achaius rex Momonise, Darius Kearb, ex quo O'Donnawan, Lugadius & Eugenius.

'^ Darius Kearb prster Fidachum Crimthanni regis, & Mongfinnse reginse Hibemias
patrem genuit Fiachum Figente, & Achaium Liathanach, ex quo Hyliathan in agro
CorcagiensL Fiacho Figente nomen, & originem debet Hy Figenta regio olim variis
principibus Celebris in media Momoni® planicie usque ad medium montis Luachra in
Kierrigia ad Australem Sinanni fliuninis ripam ; licet hodie hoc nomine vix nota, sed
Limericensis comitatus planities appellata.'' — Q^Sfia^ pp. 380, 381.

There can be no doubt that O'Flaherty is perfectly correct in making Crimthann
Mor mac Fidaigh monarch of all Ireland, as his name is found in all the ancient lists of
the Irish monarchs, and as it is stated in Cormac's Glossary, tmder the word rrio^ Gime,
that he also extended his dominion over North Britain and Wales, where he established
colonies, and where many places received names from his people. The passage, which
is one of the most curious and important in Irish history, runs as follows :

In can po ba mop nepc na n-Ja^oal pop 6pecnaib, po panopac Qlbam ecappa
1 pepanouf : ocup po picip c6c oupaip oia capaic leo, ocup ni ba lu^e no cpeboafp
^aeoil ppia muip anaip quam in Scocica, ocup 00 ponca a n-6papa ocup a pij-
oijinee ano; inoe oicicup Dino qiaoui, .i, Upeoui Cpiiiiraino THoip, mic pioaij, pi
Bpeno, ocup Qlban, ocup co muip n-lce; ec inoe epc Jlapcimbip na n-Jaeoal, .1.

2X2

340

Cell mop pop Bpu TTlapa n-lcc yc. Ocup if oo'n poino pin Bep a ca Dino map
Cerain i cipib 6pecan Copn, .1. Oun mic 6iarain ; op ip mac in n( ip map ip m
6pei:naip. Ocup po bdcop po'n cumacr pin co cianaib lap ciaccam pacpaic. De
pin, cpa, po boi Coipppe fTlupc ac acai^io paip co a muincip ocup co a caipoe.

*' At the time that the sway of the Graels was great over the Britons, they divided
Albion between them in holdings, and each knew the habitations of his friends ; and
the Graels did not carry on less agriculture on the east of the sea (channel) than at home
in Scotica, and they erected habitations and regal forts there : inde dicitur Dinn Tra-
dui, L e. the triple-fossed fort of Crimthann Mor Mac Fidhaigh, king of Erin, Alba,
and as far as the Iccian sea ; et inde est Glastimber na n-Gaedhal [Glastonbury of
the Gaels], a large church, which is on the brink of the Iccian sea, &c And it was at
the time of this division also that Dinn Map Lethain, in British Cornwall, received its
name, L e. Dun mic Liathain ; for map, in the British, is the same as mac. And they
continued in this power for a long time after the arrival of St Patrick. It was at this
time Coirpre Muse was dwelling in the east with his family and friends," &c

Eochaidh, the first son of Olioll Flannbeg, left no issue, and the line of Fidach, the
eldest son of Daire Cearb, became extinct in Crimthann Mor, who succeeded as
monarch of Ireland in the year 366. On failure of issue in the line of Fidach, the
next heir, according to the law of primogeniture, was, in the line of Fiacha Figeinte,
the second son of Daire Cearb ; and tracing this line, according to the evidence of the
ancient genealogical Irish MSS., we find it represented in the tenth century by Donovan,
son of Cathal, chief of Hy-Figeinte, who was slain in a pitched battle, and his allies,
the Danes of Munster, slaughtered by the renowned Brian Boru, in the year 977.
But after the death of the monarch Crimthann Mor Mac Fidaigh, this line was sup-
pressed by the more powerful sept of the Dal Cais, and also by the race of Lughaidh,
ancestor of the Mac Carthys, and was never after able to regain the sovereignty of
Munster; but they retained Bruree, the seat of their great ancestor Olioll Olum, and
the most fertile territory in all Ireland, which, from respect to their high descent,
they were permitted to possess free of tribute. O'Heerin refers to this fact in his
topographical poem, in the following lines :

Dual o' O' Donnabdm X)u\n Cuipc
dn ctp-pi, 'na cfp lonjpuipc;
6a leip yan ciop po'n ITIdij moill,

Ip na claip pJopjo Sionoinn. ^

'* Hereditary to 0*Donovan of the Fort of Core (i. e. Bruree)

Was this land, as a land of encampment ;

He possessed without tribute, the lands along the sluggish river Maigue,

And the plains down to the Shannon."

343

NOTE H. Seepages 226 and 231.

Of the Armorial Bearings and Banners of the ancient Irish.

Dr. Keating has written the following remarks on the banners of the ancient
Irish, in his notice of the Battle of Magh Rath :

Iple Ooninall, mac Qeoo, mic Qmmipioc, PI 6ipionn, cujao cm TTlhui^e Par,
aic ap mapbao Conjal Claon, oo Bf, 'na PtjUlao oeic m-bliaona; a^up ap upupa
a Qirne ap in pcaip-pi o'd n-jaipciop Car mhuije Par, ^p ab opoui^re in c-mnioU,
ocup in c-dpo^^ao oo bioo ap plucq^iB ^^loioiol pe h-ucc ool a n-iomBualao, no
00 cop cara 601B; oip do Bfoo apo-caoipioc ap in pluaij; uile, a^up caoipoc ap
jjac plua^-Buioion oa m-bfoo pd na pmacr, ajup puairioncap a m-bpacaij yac
caoipi^ pa leir, ap a n-airionixioi ^ac plua^-buioion 010b peac a ceile, leip na
SeancaoaiB, ap a m-bfoo o'piacaib beir 00 laraip na n-uapal pe Im caca n6 coin-
Bliocc 00 cup o'd ceile, lonnup 50 m-b(o6 paoapc pul a^ na SeancooaiB ap ^iiom-
apcaib na n-uapal, p6 paipn^ip ptpmni^ oo o^anam ap a n-odlaiB leac ap leac ;
ayup a:^ uime pm do Bi a Sheancaio p^in a B-pocaip Ohomnaill, mic Qooa, P15
6ipionn, pe h-ucc caca ITlhuije Rar. Oip ap m-beic do Dhomnall aj cpiall a
5-coiiini Chonjail, Pi Ulao, ayup lOo oo ^ac lear o' aBainn, ajup ap B-paicpin
pluo^ a ceile 001B, piappui^iop Oomnall o'a 8heancai6 ^ac meip^e ^o n-a puair-
ioncap pa peac oioB, a^up noccap in Seoncaio pin 00, omail l^a^cap 'pan laoiD
oap ab copac " Cp6an cia^io cara Chonjafl," map a B-puil in pann po ap puair-
ioncap Ri Ulao F^m :

Ceoman buioe a ppoll uaine

Comapra na Cpaob Puaioe,

THap 00 Bf a^ ConcuBop caio,

Qca ci^ Gonial ap Con^m6il.

Qp imcian 6 do rionnpjaoap ^aoioil ynoriiyaD na puaicioncop, ap lopjChloinne
Israel, l^'p jnacu 15106 'pan Bjipc lao, p^ linn ^aoioil oo mapcoinn, cm can 00
Booap Clann Israel aj cpiall cpep m ITIuip puaio, ayup ITIaoipe 'na apo*eaoipioc
oppa. D6 cpeiB 0^5 imoppo, do Baoap ann, ajup puacioncap ap leic aj jac cpeiB
610B pa pech.

UpeaB Ruben, Mandragora, 'n a bpacai^ map puaicioncup,
CpeaB Simeon, ja, 'n a bpacai^ map puaicioncup,
UpeaB Levi, ar\ Aipc *n a bpaoai^ map puaicioncup,
UpeaB Juda, leoman *n a bpaeai^ map puaicioncup.

344

Cpeab Isacar, apal, 'n a bpacai j map fuairioncup,

Upeab Stabulon, lony, 'n a bpacai^ map puairioncup,

Cpeab Neptalem, oealb oaim allaio, 'n a bpacai^ map p uairioncup,

Cpeab Gad, oealb bamleomain, 'n a bpacai^ map puaicioncup,

Cpeab Joseph, capb *n a bpacai^ map puaicioncup,

Cpeab Benjamin, paolcu, 'n a bpacai^ map puaicioncup,

Cpeab Dan, nacaip net me, 'n a bpacai^ map puaicioncup,

Cpeab Aser, cpaob ola, 'n a bpacai^ map puaicioncup.

Qj po puioio^ao an c*peancai6e ap puaicioncupaib Cloinne Israel, aihail leu jcop
a pcinlebap 6eacaoin a n-Upmumain, 'p an laoio pe pfop :

Qicne 6am jac meip^e mop,
Ro baoi a^ cloinn uallai;^ lacob,
Ceopc neac ap a h-aicle ann,
Q^ a mbeac aicne a n-anmann.
Cpeab l^ubon, pac pop cobaip,
"Ro b'e a meipje ITlanopajaip,
l^ae buan po caic an cpeab che,
Ro lean plua^h, maich a meip^e.
Cpeab Simeon nip plop-meipje,
Qcc ^a ouaibpioc ofbpefp^,
Simeon an cpiona ceal^ac,
Um oiona ba oibpeap^ac.
Cpeab 6euhi, luce na h-CCipce,
lomba a o-cpeoio 'p a o-cpom-camce
6u caip^io o'a pldince peo
paijpin na h-Qipce aco,
meip^e a^ cpeibh luoa ampa
Samuil leomam lan-calma ;
Cpeab looaipa n-uaip peip^e
Slua^ Diomaip 'ma n-oeij-meipje.
Cpeab Ipacap an 5I01P jloin,
rrieip^e aice map apain,
lomoa ploj 50 n-oeipje n-opeac
Um an meip^e mop maipeach.
Cpeab Scabulon na pciall n-^lan
Oealb a meip^e lon5 luccmap,
6a ^nac pop connaib cana

345

Cac' na lonjpiB luccihapa.
OealB oaim allaio ihaip, ^ipp^ ihip,
CCy cpeiB Nepcalem neiihnij,
Oo'n cpeib po cleacc ppaoc peip^e,
Nip reapc laoc 'mun luaic-iheip^e.
TTleip^e 05 qieiB J^o a n-^leo-^ail
TTlap oeilb Biop ap bam-leoihain,
Hocap rim pe ppaoch peip^e
Jac laoc pinn 'mun pi^-iheip^e.
nieip^e map rapB 50 nop neipc
Uoip 05 cpeiB lopep oipoefpc,
SuairnioD na pip 106 baoBa,
dn cinioD o'dp comapoa.
UpeaB 6eniamin 50 m-bpij mip,
No BioD a meip^e op meip^iB,
rrieip^e map an B-paol B-pojlac,
Oeip^e Y an caom comopoac,
UpeaB Dan, ba ouaiBpioc an opeam,
Oipeacc neimnec coij^e cuaicioll,
Upen pe acjom ba ooij 6e,
map nacpai^ moip a liieip^e.
UpeaB CCp^p, nip cpuaio im cpao,
TTleip^e oap lean map locap,
map aon cap aill a coja,
Ip cpaoB alainn pionn-ola.
Ro aipihiop call a o-cpeaBa,
T^o aipim me a meip^eoa,
map caio oion^na na o-cpeaB o-ce,
^Gin a h-iomoa a naicne.

The MS. copies of Keating's History differ very considerably in this passage, and
it is therefore necessary to say that the foregoing extract has been taken from Andrew
M*Curtin's copy (A. D. 1703), in the Library of the Royal Irish Academy, compared
with the copy written by O'Mulconry, in the Library of Trinity College. The follow-
ing very elegant translation is from the Latin version of Keating, by Dr. John Lynch,
of which a good copy of the original MS. is in the Editor's possession :

**£x Historia Muighrathensem pugnam referente, in qua Donaldus inclitam a
Congallo Ultonise Rege reportavit victoriam, facile percipitur qahn apte Hibernorum

346

acies instructs tunc fuerint, cum ad signa conferenda se accingebant ; uni enim Impe-
ratori totus Exercitus, et singulis Ducibus singula cohortes parebant: In cujuscunque
etiam cohortis vexillis ea symbola visebantur qu« indicabant quis cuique cohorti dux
praserat Quapropter seniciorum partes erant cuique pugnee adesse, ut res ab utraque
gente gestas ob oculos baberent, quo Veritas quse scriptis postea mandarent, exploratior
esset. Hinc Hibemis Regi in procinctu ad pugnam banc ineundam posito, suus An-
tiquarius adstitit, quern ubi exercitus uterque in fluvii ripis utrinque consistens ad
mutuum conspectum pervenit, Bex Donaldus suscitatus est quasnam tesseras, qusque
hostes signa ferebant, quae ei sigillatim aperuit Antiquarius, prout eo poemate pandi-
tur, cujus initium, Cpen cia^uio cara Con^ail, in quo hoc versu, Ultonie R^is in-
signia exprimuntur:

(resserat in yiridi flarum bombice leonem
Crebroa progenies, Concbauri symbola clari
Congallus, quae nunc signis intexta videntur.

Jam inde a tempore quo Grathelici nunc Hibemi dicti, se Israelites in ^gypto sociarunt
Gathelo gentis authore adbuc superstite, vexillis suis imaginum varietate docorandis
incubuerunt. Israelitarum exemplo, qui per Mare Rubrum Moyse Duce, proficiscentes,
variis figuris signa sua distinxerunt, Exercitu ex duodecem tribubus conflato, quorum
singulis sua erat peculiaris tessera in labaris expressa, qua secerneretur a reliquis.
Tribus Ruben Mandragoram, Simeon hastam, Levi Arcam, Juda Leonem, Isachar
Asinum, Zabulon Navem, Neptali Araneam, Gad Leoenam, Joseph Taurum, Benjamin
Lupam, Dan Serpentem, et Asser Olei ramum in signis pro symbolo habuerunt Priscus
quidam poeta, figuras istas vexillis Israelitarum additas versibus Hibemicis complexus
est e vetusto Libro depromptis apud Leacoeniam in Ormoni& reperto: Quorum sensum
versus Latini sequentes exprimimt

Grandia signa mibi sunt nota propago Jacobi

Qus pneclara tulit, non cuivis cognita vati ;

Mandragorce prolem Rubin simulacra prseibant

In signis, multum validS, comitante catervfi.

In labaro stirpis claro e Simone create

(Qui fuit astutus, prudens, strenuusque tuendo)

Picta refulsit imago formidabilis bastie.

Levitici, quibus est arc» custodia curse

Et quibus est armentorum vis magna gregumque,

G«stata in signo vobis tulit area salutem.

Vexillis sobolis Judee procera ferocis

Forma leonis erat, stirpem banc impune lacessat

347

Nemo, lacertorum magno, nam robore praestat.
Isacara tribus fulgent! fulgida in auro
In labaris Asini speciem gestabat amoenam
Agminibus cinctam pugilum quibus ora rubebaut.
A Zabulone sati, quos omat opima supellex.
Immense ratis, in signis habuere figuram,
Qui crebr6 secuere levea in navibus undas.
Crure brevi et celeri cervus spectabilis ortae
Nephthalemo gentis yexillum pictus adornat,
Quae ruit impavida in pngnas, et signa frequentat.
Pugnacis Gads stirpis vexilla lessnam
Pratulerant : ea gens, pugnae veniente proceM
Non ignava coit sub signis agmine multo.
Percelebris soboles, a te, Josepbe, profecta
In signis tauri fortis latera ardua monstrat.
Bengamina tribus signis melioribus usa
Quam reliquse, robusta lupum tulit ore rapacem.
In sacro labaro, splendente rubedine tinctmn.
Natos a Danno metuendos martins ardor
Fecit, honoratos caute prudentia mentis ;
Signifer his pugnas inituris prsstulit anguis.
Asseri soboli pecus ampla paravit honorem,
Haec ubi se bello accinxit, populariter uno
Assensu ramum sibi tolli curat olivaB.
Singula signormn, tribuum quoque nomina dixi
Caetera prsetereo populi decora ampla yalentis.''

Witbout going so far back as the time of Moses and his cotemporary Gaedhal, the
ancestor of the Milesians, we may well believe that the Irish people became acquainted
with the Old Testament, and consequently with the standards borne by the twelve
tribes of Israel, immediately after their conversion to the Christian religion. That
standards were in use in Ireland before Christianity, it would now be difficult
to prove, and perhaps not fair to deny ; but it appears from the most ancient
fragments of Irish literature which have descended to our times, that the meirgey
or standard, was in use at a very early period, and we find references in the lives
of the primitive Irish saints to several consecrated banners called by the name of
Caihach. It does indeed appear from poems written by some of the bards of Ulster
in the seventeenth century, that it was then the opinion that the Irish had, even in the

ISISH ABCH. SOC. 6. 2 T

348

first century, used, not only banners distinguished by certain colours and badges, but
also armorial bearings or escutcheons. Thus, Owen O'Donnelly, in his reply to Mac
Ward, contends that the red hand of Ulster was derived from the heroes of the Red
Branch, and that, therefore, it belonged by right to Magennis, the senior represen-
tative of Conall Cearnach, the most distinguished of those heroes, and not to O'Neill,
whose ancestors, although they had no connexion with those heroes by descent, had
usurped the sovereignty of Ulster.

That the ancient Irish, from the earliest dawn of their history, carried standards to
distinguish them in battle, is quite evident from all the ancient Irish accounts of
battles, but when they first adopted armorial bearings is not perhaps now very easy to
prove. The Editor has examined more tombstones in old Irish churchyards than per-
haps any one now living, with an anxious wish to discover ancient Irish inscriptions
and armorial bearings, but among the many tombs he has seen, he has not observed
any escutcheon for a Milesian Irish family older than the reign of Queen Elizabeth.
He is, therefore, satisfied that the Irish families first obtained the complex coats of
arms which they now bear from England, retaining on the shield, in many instances,
those simple badges which their ancestors had on their standards, such as the red hand
of O'Neill, the cat and salmon of O'Cathain, or O'Kane, &c. &c., with such additions
as the King at Arms thought proper to introduce, in order to complete the escutcheon
after the Anglo-Norman system of heraldry, according to the rank of the family for
whom the coat was so manufactured.

The Editor has found the following metrical descriptions of the standards of
O'Doherty, O'Sullivan, and O'Loughlin, in a MS. in the collection of Messrs. Hodges
and Smith, Dublin, No. 208, and he thinks them worth inserting here, as being very
curious, though the period at which they were written has not been yet satisfactorily
determined. The descriptions of the two former appear to be of considerable antiquity,
but that of O^Loughlin savours of modem times, from the language and measure.

Siiaicioncap Ui Docapcai j.

Cpian ra^aio cara Cuinn,
Ui Docapcai^ le cup comluinn,
Q clomeaih cpop-6p6a cara
Op TTleipje an dpo-placa :
Ceoihan ip piolap pola,
t)eacaip cope na cian-pojla,
Q m-bdn-bpac pfooaiiiail ppoiU,
Gajal cpom-join a rion6il.

349

"Bearings of O'Doherty.

Mightily advance the battalions of Conn,
With O'Doherty to engage in battle.
His battle sword with golden cross.
Over the standard of this great chief :
A lion and bloody eagle, —
Hard it is to repress his plunder, —
On a white sheet of silken satin,
Terrible is the onset of his forces."

The Editor is sorry to find that the O'Dohertys do not at present bear these sym-
bols in their coat of arms ; the arms of Chief Justice Doherty, as shown in stained glass
on a window in the Library of the Queen's Inns, Dublin, are entirely different.

SuaicioTicap Ui Shuileabdm a j-cac Caipglinne.

l)o cfm rp^an aj ceacc 'p an maij
nieipje pleacca Phinjin uapail,
Q fleaj 30 nacaip niiiie
Q fluaj 'na o-qieoin o-ceinnnje.

" Bearings op O'Sullivan in the Battle op Caisglinn.

I see mightily advancing in the plain
The banner of the race of noble Finghin,
His spear with a venomous adder [entmned\
His host all fiery champions."

The O'Sullivans have since added many other symbols, as two lions, a boar, buck,
&&, but their neighbours, the O'Donovans, have retained the simple hand, and ancient
Irish sword entwined with a serpent, without the addition of any other symbol derived
from the Anglo-Norman system of heraldry.

Suaicioncap Ui Loclumn 66ipne.

Q ^-campa Ui C^ocluinn 00b' poUup a tn-bldc-bpac fp6iU,
Q j-ceann ^c qioiKi, le copnorh do Idrcnp Si^e6,
Sean oaip roprac op j-copiaih le mal 50 c6ip,
1p onnooip jjopm pa copaiB 00 c6bla 6ip.

2 Y2

350

" Bearings of O'Louohlin Burren.

In O'Loughlin's camp was visible on a fair satin sheet,
To be at the head of each battle, to defend in battle-field.
An ancient fruit-bearing oak, defended by a chieftain justly.
And an anchor blue, with folds of a golden cable,"

The armorial bearings of the old Irish families, as preserved on their tombs since
the reign of Henry VIII., if carefully collected, would throw much light on the kind
of badges they had borne on their standards previously to their adoption of the
Anglo-Norman system of heraldry, and it is to be hoped that the Irish College of he-
ralds wHJ accomplish this task.

NOTE I. Seepage 267.

The most curious account as yet discovered of the ancient Irish Kernes and GaUo-
glasses, is given by the Lord Deputy St. Leger, in a letter to the king, written from
Maynooth, on the 6th of April, 1543. In this letter the Lord Deputy goes on to state
that he had heard a report that " His Majestic was about to go to war with France or
Scotland, and requests to know the King's pleasure if he should raise a body of native
Irish soldiers to attend him in the invasion of France," and he then goes on as follows :

" But in case your Majestic will use their servyce into Fraunce, your Highnes muste
then be at some charges with them; ffor yt ys not in ther possibilitie to take that joiir-
ney without your helpe ; for ther ys no horseman of this lande, but he hathe his horse
and his two boyes, and two hackencys, or one hackeney and two chieffe horse, at the
leste, whose wages must be according ; and of themselffes they have no ryches to ffur-
nyshe the same. And, assuredly, I thinke that for ther ffeate of warre, whiche ys for
light scoores, ther ar no properer horsemen in Christen ground, nor more hardie, nor yet
that can better indure hardenesse. I thinke your Majestic may well have of them fiyve
hundred and leave your Englishe Pale well ffumysshed. And as to ther fifootemen
they have one sorte whiche be harnessed in mayle, and bassenettes having every of
them his weapon, callyd a sparre, moche like the axe of the Towre, and they be named
Galloglasse ; and for the more part ther boyes beare for them thre darts a peice, whiche
dartes they throw er they come to the hande stripe : these sorte of men be those that
doo not lightly abandon the ffeilde, Imt byde the brunte to the deathe. The other sorte
callid Kerne, ar naked men, but onely ther sherts and small coates ; and many tymes,
whan they come to the bycker, but bare nakyd saving ther shurts to hyde ther pre-
vytes ; and those have dartes and shorte bowes : which sorte of people be bothe hardy and
cly ver to serche woddes or morasses, in the which they be harde to be beaten. And if

35^

Your Majestie will convert them to Morespikes and handegonnes I thinke they wolde
in that ffeate, with small instructions, doo your Highness greate service ; fibr as for
gonners ther be no better in no land then they be, for the nomber they have, whiche
be more than I wolde wishe they had, onles yt wer to serve your Majestic. And also
these two sortes of people be of suche hardeness that ther ys no man that ever I
sawe, that will or can endure the paynes and eviU ffare that they will suBta3me ; ffor
in the sonmier when come ys nere rype, they seke none other meate in tyme of nede,
but to scorke or swyll the eares of wheate, and eate the same, and water to ther drinke;
and with this they passe ther lyves, and at all tymes they eate such meate as ffew other
could lyve vrith. And in case your pleasure be, to have them in redynes to serve
Your Majestie in any these sortes, yt may then please the same, as well to signifie
your pleasure therein, as also what wages I shall trayne them unto. And so, having
knowledge of your pleasure therein, I shall endeavour my selffe, according my most
bounden duetie, to accomplishe the same. The sooner I shall have knowledge of your
])leasure in that behalfie, the better I shalbe hable to performe yt.

" From Your Majesties castell of Maynothe the 6th of Aprill [1543].

"Antony Sentleger."

The preceding extract is taken from a copy made several years since from the ori-
ginal, by James Hardiman, Esq., author of the History of Galway. The document has
since been printed, but not very correctly, in the State Papers, vol. iiL Part IH.
p. 444. London, 1834.

Qfp n-a cptocnujjao le Seaon, mac Bamoinn O13, liiic pein-Gamomn, ihic
UiUiam, ihic ConcuBaip, ihic eamoinn, mic DomnaiU Ut)honnab6in, an rpeap
Id D^aj DO ihf Decembep, 1842. 5° 3-cuipiD Dia cpioc maic oppainn uile.

353

INDEX.

Page.

AEDH, a man's name; meaning, and
present Anglicised form of, . . 288
Aedh, Mac Ainmirech, monarch of Ire-
land, 259

Aedh, of the Green Dress, son of Eoch-

aidh. King of Alha, 48, 49

Aedh Slaine, monarch of Ireland, . . 8, 9

Aedhan, a man's name, 288

Aenach, or Oenach, meaning of, . . 67, n.
Aengus, a man's name, now ^neas, . . 289
Aengpis, son of Lamh Gaibe, hero, . . 207

Aengusaigh, who 157

AilechNeid Palace, where, 36

, Palace of, blessed by St. Patrick, 146

, King of , . . 204

Amh, an expletive particle, .... 309
Aimergin, a man's name, . . . * . 290

Ainle, a hero of Ulster, 207

Amiurgin Reochaidh, 209

Amhalghudh, a man's name among the

Pagan Irish, 290

Amhas, meaning of the word, . . 139, 140
Amhlaoibh, a man's name of Danish ori-
gin in Ireland, 290

Anrad, meaning of the word, . . .48, 49

Aquarius, the sign, 112,113

Ardan, a hero of Ulster, 207^

Page.

Ard Uladh, where, 230

Ard na himaircse, 180

Armorial bearings, .... 196, 348, 349

Athaneich, 272

Ath an imairg, 142

Ath-Cliath, now Dublin, 242

Baedan, a man's name, 291

Baedan, son of Ninnidh, 152

Banner, consecrated, 196

Banners described, . . 226, 227, 348, 349

Banquet, cursed, 29

Beann Gulbain, a mountain, where, . .313

Beards referred to, ...... . 185

Bearnas mor, gap of, where, . . . .158

Bearramhain in Breifne, 143

Bees, referred to 34, 35, n.

Beneit, the Bellona of the Pagan Irish, 242

Bells and Croziers referred to, . . 38, 39

Bennchor, where, 26, 27, ».

Bird of Valour, curious reference to, 32, 33

Bissextile year, 112,113

Birra, now Birr, 26, 27

Blathmac, a man's name, 291

Bodesta, an ancient form of the adverb
feasta, 308

Page,
Boghuinigh, extent of their territory, . 156
Boinn river. See Boyne.

Boyne River, 7, 194

, source of, 19

Brain, hurt of, often improves the intel-
lect, 282, 283

Breasal, a man's name, 290

Bregma, territory of, 194

Brenainn, St., of Birra, . . . . 26, 27
Brenunn, son of Finnloga, Saint, . 26, 27

Brian a man's name, 289

Bricin, a poet of Tuaim Dreagain, . . 283

Bridges referred to, 78, 79, n.

Bruighin Blai Bruga, 52, 53

Bruighin da Choga, where, ... 53, n.
Bruighin Forgaill Monach, . . . 52, 53
Bruighin Blic Cecht, where, ... 52, 53

Bruighin Mic Datho, 52, 53

Bruighin h-ua Derga, or Bruighin da
Berga. [The situation of this place
was never yet pointed out hy any of
the Irish topographical writers, hut it
is described in Leabhar na h-Uidhri,
as on the River Dothair, now the Dod-
der, near Dublin, and a part of the
name is still preserved in that of Boher
na breena, a well known place on that
river], 50, 51

Caerthannach's, who, 156

Cainech Mac h-Ui Dalann, St., . • 26, 27
Cairbre Niafer, King of Leinster, . .138
Cairbre, son of King Niall of the Nine

Hostages, 148

Caimech, Saint of Tuilen, now Dulane, 146

Cairpthecha. See Charioteers,

Callad, meaning of the word, .... 72

Cancer, sign of, 114,115

Carcair na n-giall, at Tara, . . . . 6, 7

Page.

Carraic Eoghain, 104, 105

Cath, meaning of the word, . . . .214
Cathach or Caah, meaning of the word . 196

Cathair Conrui, where, 212

Cathaoir Mor, monarch of Ireland, fami-
lies descended from, . . . . 124, 125

Cathbhadh, the Druid, 209

Cas Ciabhach, Rechtaire, ... 23, 32, 33
Cauldrons referred to, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 58,

59
Cellach, son of Fiachna, . . . . 42, 43
Cellach, son of Maelcobha, monarch of

Ireland, 84, 85, 160

Celtchar, an Ubter Hero, . . . 206, 207
Cennfaeladh, son of Garbh, . . . .164
Cennfaeladh, son of OileU, his brain in<

jured, curious 278, 279

Cenn Maghair, where, .... 204, 205
Cernach the Long-shanked, .... 273
Cethem Mac Fintain, an Ulster hero, . 209
Chains, brought to battle* . . . 176, 179

Charioteers 193

Chess, curious references to, . . 36, 37, n.
Cian, a man's name, now Kean, . . . 289

Ciaran, St 26, 27

Cinel Conaill, who, and where, . 8, 9, 145

Cinel Eoghiun, 8, 9, 145

Clanna Rudhraighe, 204

Clann Colnudn, who 8, 9

Clann Breasail, where 274, 275

Clann CoUa, igg

Clann Enna, extent of their territory, . 156

Cletty, palace of, cursed, 20

Cliath Catha, meaning of, 176

Cloidhemh. See Sword.

Cluain Iraird, where, 26

Cluain Mic Nois, 26, 26, ».

Cnocan an Choscair, 216

Cobhthach, a man's name, 291

, meaning of, .... 11, n.

355

Page.
Cobhthach Caemh, son of Raghallach, 10, U
Cobhthach, son of Colman Guar, . 38, 39
Coin na g-Curadh, where, ..... 274
Coire Ainsecan, a cauldron of a magical

nature 50, 51

Coireall^ a man's name, 292

Coisir Connacht, at Tara, 6, 7

Colum Cille, Saint, ...... 26, 37

Columbkille, $iunt, piy>phecy of, . .127
Colum Mac Crimhthainn, Saint, . . 26, 27
Combat, single, description of, . 256, 257
Comhghall of Benchor, Saint, . . 26, 27
Comparative Degree, curious form of, 20, 21
Conaire, monarch, descendants of, 122, 123

Conaire Mor, monarch, 52, 53

Conall, a man's name, 291

Conall Cearnach, one of the most distin-
guished of the heroes of the Red

Branch 32, 33, 206

Conall Clogach, the rojal idiot, brother

of King Domhnall, 320

Conall Gulban, youngest of the sons of
Niall of the Nine Hostoges, . . .312

, mother of, 311

Conall, son of Baodan, 86, 87

Conan Rod, son of the King of Britain, 62, 83
Conchobbar, a man's name, .... 289
Conchobhar, King of Ulster, .... 206

, sons of, 208

Congal Claen, King of Ulidia, ... 23
, high descent of, 203

, banner of, 228

, pedigree of, 328

Congal Clairingnech, 209

Congal Menu, son of the King of Alba, 48, 49,

ConUf race of, 216

Core, a man's name, 289

Cormac Conloinges, 210

Craebh Ruadh, where 218

IRISH ARCH. 80C. 6.

Page.
Craisecba. S^e Lances.

Crich an Scail . 132, 133

Crimhthann, King of Leinster, . . 22, 23
Crioch na n-Oirthear, now the barony
of Orior, in the East of the county of

Armagh, 274

Cruachan, now Rathcroghan, in the

county of Roscommon, . . . 125, 188
Crunnmael, son of Suibhne, . 144, 145, 286
Cuailgne, a mountainous district in the
present county of Louth, formerly in

Ulster 121. 128, 129

Cuan of Cliach 44, 45

Cuanna, the idiot, ........ 275

CucbuUano, hero 206

Cumhscraidh, son of Conchobhar, King

of Ulster, 210

Curcais, meaning of, 273

Curoi Mac Daire, 138

Curse, Irish notion respecting, . . 30, 31

Dairbhre, King of France,
, son of Dornmhar,

82,83
. 215

Daire, now Derry, 174

Daire in latha, 174

Dairfhine, race of, who, . . . 122, 123
Dal Araidbe, extent of, . . ^ . 39, 40, n.

Danardha, meaning of, 184

Dechsain, modern form of the word, . 24, n.

Deman, a man's name, 291

Deoraidh, meaning of, 163

Derg Druimnech, meaning of, . . . .153

Dergruathar Chonaill, 212

Dergrubha Chonaill 177

Diangus, a man's name, 292

Diarmaid, a man's name, . . . .. .291

Dingna, meaning of, ...... . 175

Dinnthach, a man's name, 292

Disert, meaning of the word, . . 10, 11, i).

356

Page,
Dishes, silver and wooden, . . . 30, 31

Dithrebhach, a man's name 292

Dobhar, stream 156, 158

Doire Lurun, where, 284

Domhnall, a man's name, now Anglicised

Daniel, . . . • 288

Domhnall, son of Aedh, monarch of Ire-
land, pedigree of, ... . 25, 325, 326

, magnificence of, described, 1 14, 1 15

, families descended from, 98, 99

, pedigree of, , . . 98, 99, 326

, his ancestors, peculiar qualifi-
cations of, described, . . . 116, 117

, address, to his army, . 122, 128

, sons of, 166

Domhnall Brec, son of the King of Alba,

48, 49, et geq, 54, 55, 56, 57, 85
Donnchadh, a man's name, now Denis, . 289
Down, now Downpatrick, in the county

ofDown, battle of, 192

Dream, interpreted, 10, 11

Drobhaois, river, where, . . . 131,220
Druid, or Druideog, a stare or starling, 125

Druid, verses of, 170, 171

Druidical incantation, . . . . 46, 47, n.
Druim Dilur, a place on the river Erne,

near Belleek, 10, ll,n.

Druim Ineasglainn, a famous monastery

in the now county of Louth, . . 40, n.
Drumiskin, ancient name of, . . . 40, n.

Dubh, a man's name, 291

Dubhan, a man's name 292

Dnbhan of Dublin, 273

Dubhdiadh, the Druid, 46,47, 50, 51, 58, 59,

84,85

, verses of, 170, 171

Dubhthach Dael Uladh, 206

Dublin. See DHt^A/tim, 273

Dubhrothur, where, 22

Duibh-inis, 131

Page,
Duibhlinn, i. e. the black pool or river,

now Dublin, 273

Duirtheach, meaning of the word, . 16, 17

Dumha Beinne, battle of, 211

Dun Balair, where, 174

Dun Celtchair, where 207

Dun da lach, in Britain, .... 82,88
Dunlavan. See Ltamhain,
Dun Monaidh in Scotland, . . . 46, 47, n.
Dim na n-gedh, where, . . . 6, 7, 16, 17

Eachrais Uladh, at Tara, 6, 7

Eamhain. See JEmmda,

Earc, a man's name, 292

Earl of Ulster 198

Eas Ruaidh cataract, situation of, . . 106

, verbose description of, . .105

Edar or Howth, battle of, 211

Eidhnech river, where, .... 156, 158

Eignech, 272

Einech, meaning of, 191

Emania palace, where, 213

Enna, a man's name, 293

Enna, son of King Niall, 149

Eochaidh Aingces, King of Britain, . 44, 45,

64,65
Eochaidh^Buidhe, King of Alba or Scot-
land 44, 45, n.

Eoghan, a man's name, 290

Ere, bishop of Slane, . - . . 18, 19, ii.
Ere Finn, son of Feidhlimidh, . . .139

Faelan, a man's name, 292

Faelchu, son of Congal, 305

Fallomhan, a man's name 292

Feimin, pliun of, 189

Fenagh, Book of, quoted, . . . 157, 158
Ferdoman, son of Imoman, . . . 84, 85
, called the Bloody, . . . .201

357

Page.

Fergus, a man*8 name 292

Fergus Mac Leide, 209

Fergus Mac Roigh, King of Ulster, . . 206

Fermorc, 272

Fiamuin Mac Forui, 212, 213

Finghin of Cam, 164

Finn river, where, 142, 143

Finn, son of Ross, 136

Finnchadh, a man's name, 292

Finncharadh, battle of, ,211

Finnen, Saint, of Cluain Iraird, . 26, 27, n.
Finnen, Saint, of Magh bile, . . . . ib.

Flaithe, a man's name, 290

Flann, a man's name, 289

Flann, the poet, 250

FleeuC'lamha, meaning of, . . . 62, 63, n.
Fodhla, a name of Ireland, . . . .125
Fort, garden of, referred to, . . 34, 35, n.
Forts or lis*St erected by the ancient Irbh

and Danish works, 34, n.

Fosterage, curious reference to, 134, 135, 160

305

Fothadh na Canoine, who, 168

France, King of, 44, 45

Fuinidh, meaning of, 202

Furies, offices of, 169

6a. See JavelifL

Gaeth, meaning of, 288

Gailians, who, 242

Gair Gann, son of Feradhach, . . .119
Gair Gann Mac Stoagain, . . . . 30, 31

Gealtacht, meaning of, 236

Giraldus Cambrensis, quoted, . . . .141

Glasnaidhen, where, 27, n.

Glenn Conn, 144

Gleann nan- Gealt, in Kerry 175

Glenn Rigbe, where, • 143

Gleann Scoithin, in Kerry, . . . . .138

2 :

Page.
Graine, daughter of King Cormac Mao

Art, 6,7

GrianoTif meaning of the word, . . . 7»it*
Grianan in en u^thne, at Tara, . . . 6, 7

Hair, flowing on the shoulders, and cut

off by the sword in battle, . . 239, 240
Helmets 141, 299

Idal, son of Aille, a Briton, sons of, . . 264

Illann, a man*s name 288

Illann, King of Desmond 22, 23

Imbas for Osnae, a Druidical incanta-
tion, 46, 47, n.

Inar, meaning of, 181

Inis Cloithrinn, where, 213

Inis Fail, 104. 105

Innrachtach, a man's name, .... 293
lobhar Chinn Choiche, .... 276, 277

lobhar Chinn Tragha, 276

Ir, descendants of, 172

Irial, son of Conall, King of Ulster, .210
Javelin, 152, 199

Kernes 140,267,350

Kilmacrenan, Book of, quoted, . . .164

Laeghaire, a man's name, 291

Laeghaire, the victorious, 207

Laighis or Leix, extent of, . • . 242, 243
Laighne, meaning of, . . • . 196, 197

Lances 141, 193

Lann Beachaire, 35, n.

Leath Chuinn, . . . 302

Leath Mogha, 124, 125

Leath Mhogha, 302

Lenn-bhrat, meuiing of, ... 180, 181
2

358

Page.
Liambain, where, ......< 188

Liathdruim, an old name of Tara, . .195
Lis. See Forts,

Lis or Fort, « . 130

Long Laighean, a house at Tara, . . 6, 7
Long Mumhan, a house at Tara, . . . ib.

Lochlann, King of, 80> 81

Lorcan, a man's name, 291

Lothra, wher^, 4, n.

Lughaidh, a man's name, 291

Luigbne, extent of, 252

Lunatics, 234

Lusca, now Lusk, 52, 53

Mac Carthy, pedigree of, 341

Mac Dary, his ode to Donogh 0*Bf.^

quoted, ........ 100, 101

Mac Gillafinnen, pedigree of, . • . . 335

Macha, . 202

Mac Namara, pedigree of, . . . . .341

Madh Ininnrighi, 106, 107

Magh bile, where, 26, n.

Magh Muirtheimhne, battle of, . . .211
Magh Rath, battle of, when fought, 114, 115
Maelcobha Cleirech, monarch, . . 10, 11
Maelduin, son of Aedh Bennan, 22, 23, 278
Maelmaighnes, the seven, champions of

the name, 274

Maelodhar Macha, chief of Oirghiall, 28, 29,

38,39

Maehach, k man's name, 292

Mail, coats of, . « 192

Meadha Siuil, extent of, 252

Medhbh, queen of Conhaught, . . .137

Miadhach 272

Midir, 6f Bri Leith 36, n.

Midhchuurt, a great house at Tara, 6

Mobhi Clarainech, Saint, . . . . 26, 27
Moluse, son of Nadfraeob, ib.

Page,
Monarch, worthiness of, . * • 100, 101
Monarchs, Irish, seats of, . . . 4, 5, n*
Moore, Thomas, errors of, . . . 226, 227
Morrigu, the Bellona of the ancient

Irish 198

Muirchertach Mac Erca, monarch, . .144
Muireadhach, a man's name, .... 290

Muirgis, a man's name, 290

Mullach Macha, 172, 173

Munremar Mac Gerrginn, hero, . . . 209
Murchadh, son of Maenach, . . . .272
Muscraigh, different districts of the name,

where, 122, 123

Naisi, an Ulster hero, 207

Niall, a man's name, 290

Ninnidh the pious. Saint, ... 26, 27, n.
iVbcAa, a negative particle, 310

Oaths, 3

Obeid, a king, 72, 73

O* Boyle, pedigree of, 336

O'Brien, pedigree of, 341

O'Canannain, pedigree of, 336

O' Conor, Dr., errors of, 280

0*Dea, pedigree of, 341

O'Doherty, descent of, 164

, pedigree of, 336

O'Donnell, pedigree of, ...... ib.

O'Donohoe, pedigree of, ib.

O'Donovan, pedigree of, ib.

O'Gallagher, high descent of, . . 160,161

• * — ^, pedigree of, 336

0'Keef!e, pedigree of, 341

O'Mahony, pedigree of, ib.

O'Quin, pedigree of| • ib.

OilioU, a man's name, now obsolete, . « 293
OilioU Olum, King of Munster, descen-
dents of, 122, 123, 341

359

Page.
Oirghialls, their descent* . • • 139, 142

: , extent of their country, 8, 9, 28,

29, 38, 39, 142

O'Lawler, descent of, , 33

Oldas, meaning of, 67

Ollamh Fodhla, monarch of Ireland, de-
scendants of, 171

Ollghothach, meaning of, 188

Omens 272

0*More, descent of, 33, 221

O'Moriarty, descent of, 23, 341

O'Muldory, pedigree of, 335

Orchur of Ath an eich, 272

Orior, barony, ancient name of, • . . 274

Osgleann, in Umhall 105

Osraighe, Ossory, ancient extent of, 124, 125

Patron Saints of Irish Churches, . . . 327

Pedigrees, utility of, 96

Phantoms, description of, ... . 20, 21

Poets 40,41

Predestination referred to, . . 172, 269
Prison of the hostages at Tara, ... 6

Prophecies, Irish, 95, 127

Proverbs, Irish, . . . . 90, 91, 159, 287

Race of Rndhraighe, 42

Raghallach, King of Connaught, . . 22, 23

Rathain, battle of, 210

Ravens, reference to, 64, 65

Rechtaire, meaning of, 33

Reochaidh, a man*s name, now obsolete, 291
Retla na bh-filedh, at Tara, . . . . 6, 7

Riagan, KingofRosCUle, 272

Ridearg, a man's name, 291

Rionaigh, a man's name, ib.

Rithlearg, meaning of, ... . 92, 154
Rodan, Saint, curses Tara, .... 232
Ronan Finn, Saint, .... 40, 41, 232

Page.

Ros, descendants of, 206

Ros Cille. King of, 272, 273

Ros na Riogh,. wberQ, . ... . . .210

Scalaidh, a man*8 name, 291

Scannall of the Broad Shield, . . . 38, 39
Seachnasach, a man's name, . . • .291

Seasons, favourable, 100, 101

Seimhne, people of, 211

Senach, Comharba of Saint Patrick, . 283
Shirt. See LemirhhraU

Sa Fidhrach, 157

Sil Ninnidh 157

Sil Setna, extent of their country, . . ib.
Sleagha. See Lances.

Sleep, an omen of death, 170

Sliabh Fuirri, where, 52

Sliabh Monaidh, in Alba, . . . . 56, 57

Soraidh, a man's name, 291

Stuagh, or Sduagh, meaning of, . . . 260
Suibhne Menn, monarch of Ireland, . 34, 35
Snibhne, son of Eochudh Buidhe, King

of Alba, 50,51,85

Suibhne, son of Colman Guar, chief of

Dal Araidhe, madness of, . . • .231
Suilidhe, now Swilly, river of, . . . 158
Sun, brilliance of, described, . . 114,115

Swearing, ♦ 1^0

Sword, 193

Tadhg, a man's name, now Anglicised

Timothy, 293

Tulgenn, meaning of, 183

Tailtenn, where 108, 109

Tain Bo Cuailgne, story called, . . . 209

Tara, sovereignty of, 5

Tara, tribes of, who, 8. 9

Tara, denounced by St. Rodan, or Ro-
danus, of Lorrah, 5

360

Page,
Teainhair. See Tara.
Teinm Loeghdha, a droidical incantft-

tiOD 46,47

Teinne beg an Bhroghadh, . . 106, 107

Tesiphone, the Fury, 32, S3

Time, subdivisions of, . . . 108, 109, 3£6

Tinne, meaning of, 58

Tir Enda, where, 150

Tir O'm-Breasil, where, . . . 274, 275

Tolg, meaning of, 42

Tory island, cliffs of, .... 106, 107

Tradesmen, Irish, 102, 103

Traigh Rudhraighe, where, .... 35

Treidmhach na troda, 273

Trochy meaning of, 294

Tuaim Drecain, now Tomregan, in the

County of Cavan, 282

Tuathal, a man*s name, 293

Tttige, meaning of, 162

Tuilen, now Dulane, where situated, 20, 147

TulachDathi 152,254

Tulchan na d-tailgenn, 119

Tunics. See /nor.

Tympan, what, 168, 169

Ua Ainmire, 153

Ualraig, near Derry, 144

Ucut, meaning of, . 25

Page.

Ui Ceinsellaigh 243

Ui Failghe, Offaly, extent of, ... . ib.
Ui Fiachrach. [This was also the ancient
name of a people seated in the counties

of Sligo and Mayo], 252

Ui Maine, extent of, 253

Ui Neill, the northern, 28, 29

Ui Neil], the southern, ib.

Uisce chaoin, now Eskaheen, where, . .145

Uisnech, where, 109

Uladh. See UUter.

Ulster, heroes of, enumerated, . 221, 222

, ancient extent of, • . . 128, 129

, famed for heroes, 205

, chieftains of, in the first century, 207

Ultan, the long-handed, . • . 274, 275

Uluidh, meaning of, 298

Umhall territory, extent of, ... . 104
Uraicept na n-Eiges, 280

Warrior, described, 64, 65

Weapons, military, of the ancient Irish, 255

Winds, the four, names of, 238

Wolves 64, 65, 189

Woman-slaughter, 213

Z.
Zones, 112, 113

FINIS.

IRISH ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

PUBLICATIONS FOR THE YEAR 184I.

I. Tracts relating to Ireland, vol. i. containing :

1. The Circuit of Ireland ; by Muircheartach Mac Neill, Prince of Aileaeli; a
Poem written in the year 942 by Cormacan Eigeas, Chief Poet of the North
of Ireland. Edited, with a Translation and Notes, by John O'Donovan.

2. "A Brife Description of Ireland: Made in this year 1589, by Robert Payne
vnto XXV. of his partners for whom he is vndertaker thera" Reprinted from
the second edition, London, 1 590, with a Preface and Notes, by Aquilla Smith,
M.D.,M.R.LA.

II. The Annals of Ireland; by James Grace of Kilkenny. Edited from the MS.
in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, in the original Latin, with a Translation and
Notes, by the Rev. Richaud Butler, A. B., M. R. I. A.

IIL The Book of Obits and Martyrology of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, com-
monly called Christ Church, Dublin. Edited from the original MS. in the Library of
Trinity College, Dublin, with Notes, by the Rev. John Clarke Crosthwaite, A. M.,
Dean's Vicar of Christ Church Cathedral. In the Press,

PUBLICATIONS FOR THE YEAR 1 842.

I. Cach muijhi Puch. The Battle of Moira, from an ancient MS. in the Library
of Trinity College, Dublin. Edited in the original Irish, with a Translation and Notes,
by John O'Donovan.

II. Tracts relating to Ireland, vol. u. containing :

1. " A Treatice of Ireland; by John Dymmok." Edited from a MS. in tlie British
Museum, with Notes, by the Rev. Richard Butler, A. B., M. R. 1. A.

2. The Annals of Multifernam ; from the original MS. in the Library of Trinity
College, Dublin. Edited by Aquilla Smith, M D., M. R. I. A. Nearly ready.

3. A Statute passed at a Parliament held at Kilkenny, A. D. 1367 ; from a MS.
in the British Museum. Edited, with a Translation and Notes, by James
Hardiman, Esq., M. R. I. A. Nearly ready.

IIL An Account of the Tribes and Customs of the District of Ily-Many, commonly

called O'Kelly's country, in the Counties of Galway and Roscommon. Edited from

the Book of Leacan in the Library of the Royal Irish Academy ; in the original Irish,

with a Translation and Notes, by John O'Donovan. Nearly ready.

PUBLICATIONS SUGGESTED OR IN PROGRESS.

I. The Royal Visitation Book of the Province of Armagh in 1622, from the original
MS. in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin. Edited by James Henthorn Todd,
D. D., V. P. R. L A., Fellow of Trinity College, and Treasurer of St. Patrick's Cathedral,
Dublin.

II. The Progresses of the Lords Lieutenants in Ireland; from MSS. in the Library
of Trinity College, Dublin. Edited by Joseph Hub and Smith, Esq., M. A., M. R. L A.

III. 6opama The Origin and History of the Boromean Tribute. Edited from a
MS. in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, with a Translation and Notes, by Eugene

CURRT.

IV. Cormac's Glossary; in the original Irish. Edited, with a Translation and Notes,
by John O'Donovan.

y. '' Regis trum Caenobii Omnium Sanctorum juxta Dublin;" from the original
MS. in the Library of Trinity College. Edited by James Henthorn Todd, D.D.,
V. P. R. L A., Fellow of Trinity College, &c.

VI. Cac Caipn ChonaiU. The battle of Cam Chonaill, between Guaire, King
of Aidhne and Dermot, King of Ireland, A. D. 648. From the Leabhar na-hUidhre,
a very ancient MS. in the collection of Messrs. Hodges and Smith, with a Translation
and Notes, by Eugene Cuert.

VII. Sir William Petty 's Narrative of his Proceedings in the Survey of Ireland.
Prom a MS. recently purchased by Government, and deposited in the Library of Trin.
Coll., Dublin. Edited, with Notes, by Thos. A. Larcobc, Esq., Capt R. E., M.R.L A.

VIIL Articles of Capitulation and Surrender of Cities, Towns, Castles, Forts, Ac,
in Ireland, to the Parliamentary Forces, from A. D. 1649 to 1654. Edited, with His-
torical Notices, by James Hardiman, Esq., M.R.I.A.

IX. The Irish Version of the " Historia Britonum" of Nennius, from the Book of
Ballimote, collated with copies in the Book of Leacan, and in the Library of Trinity
College, Dublin. With a Translation and Notes, bj James Henthorn Todd, D, D.,
V. P. R. L A., Fellow of Trinity Collie, &c.

'W^^

fc^'d r.tf^.(jJ.o, ^

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